Method and apparatus for proximity sensing on a communication device

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, detecting, by a first receiver of the first group of receivers, a first disturbance in one of a first group of electromagnetic waves and detecting, by a second receiver of a second group of receivers, a second disturbance in one of the second group of electromagnetic waves. A processing system can determine a position of a physical object in proximity to the transmission medium according to locations of the first and second receivers with respect to the transmission medium. Other embodiments are disclosed.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for proximitysensing on a communication device.

BACKGROUND

As smart phones and other portable devices increasingly becomeubiquitous, and data usage increases, macrocell base station devices andexisting wireless infrastructure in turn require higher bandwidthcapability in order to address the increased demand. To provideadditional mobile bandwidth, small cell deployment is being pursued,with microcells and picocells providing coverage for much smaller areasthan traditional macrocells.

In addition, most homes and businesses have grown to rely on broadbanddata access for services such as voice, video and Internet browsing,etc. Broadband access networks include satellite, 4G or 5G wireless,power line communication, fiber, cable, and telephone networks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a guided-wave communications system in accordance withvarious aspects described herein.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a transmission device in accordance with various aspectsdescribed herein.

FIG. 3 is a graphical diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of an electromagnetic field distribution in accordance withvarious aspects described herein.

FIG. 4 is a graphical diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of an electromagnetic field distribution in accordance withvarious aspects described herein.

FIG. 5A is a graphical diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a frequency response in accordance with various aspectsdescribed herein.

FIG. 5B is a graphical diagram illustrating example, non-limitingembodiments of a longitudinal cross-section of an insulated wiredepicting fields of guided electromagnetic waves at various operatingfrequencies in accordance with various aspects described herein.

FIG. 6 is a graphical diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of an electromagnetic field distribution in accordance withvarious aspects described herein.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of an arc coupler in accordance with various aspectsdescribed herein.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of an arc coupler in accordance with various aspectsdescribed herein.

FIG. 9A is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a stub coupler in accordance with various aspectsdescribed herein.

FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment ofan electromagnetic distribution in accordance with various aspectsdescribed herein.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are block diagrams illustrating example, non-limitingembodiments of couplers and transceivers in accordance with variousaspects described herein.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a dual stub coupler in accordance with various aspectsdescribed herein.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a repeater system in accordance with various aspectsdescribed herein.

FIG. 13 illustrates a block diagram illustrating an example,non-limiting embodiment of a bidirectional repeater in accordance withvarious aspects described herein.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a waveguide system in accordance with various aspectsdescribed herein.

FIGS. 15A and 15B are block diagrams illustrating example, non-limitingembodiments of proximity sensor systems in accordance with variousaspects described herein.

FIG. 16A is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of electric field characteristics of a hybrid wave versus aGoubau wave in accordance with various aspects described herein.

FIG. 16B is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of mode sizes of hybrid waves at various operatingfrequencies in accordance with various aspects described herein.

FIG. 17 illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limitingembodiment of a method for proximity detection in accordance withvarious aspects described herein.

FIGS. 18, 19 and 20 are block diagrams illustrating an example,non-limiting embodiment of a proximity sensor system in accordance withvarious aspects described herein.

FIG. 21 illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limitingembodiment of a method for proximity detection in accordance withvarious aspects described herein.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of acomputing environment in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of amobile network platform in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of acommunication device in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more embodiments are now described with reference to thedrawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to likeelements throughout. In the following description, for purposes ofexplanation, numerous details are set forth in order to provide athorough understanding of the various embodiments. It is evident,however, that the various embodiments can be practiced without thesedetails (and without applying to any particular networked environment orstandard).

In an embodiment, a guided wave communication system is presented forsending and receiving communication signals such as data or othersignaling via guided electromagnetic waves. The guided electromagneticwaves include, for example, surface waves or other electromagnetic wavesthat are bound to or guided by a transmission medium. It will beappreciated that a variety of transmission media can be utilized withguided wave communications without departing from example embodiments.Examples of such transmission media can include one or more of thefollowing, either alone or in one or more combinations: wires, whetherinsulated or not, and whether single-stranded or multi-stranded;conductors of other shapes or configurations including wire bundles,cables, rods, rails, pipes; non-conductors such as dielectric pipes,rods, rails, or other dielectric members; combinations of conductors anddielectric materials; or other guided wave transmission media.

The inducement of guided electromagnetic waves on a transmission mediumcan be independent of any electrical potential, charge or current thatis injected or otherwise transmitted through the transmission medium aspart of an electrical circuit. For example, in the case where thetransmission medium is a wire, it is to be appreciated that while asmall current in the wire may be formed in response to the propagationof the guided waves along the wire, this can be due to the propagationof the electromagnetic wave along the wire surface, and is not formed inresponse to electrical potential, charge or current that is injectedinto the wire as part of an electrical circuit. The electromagneticwaves traveling on the wire therefore do not require a circuit topropagate along the wire surface. The wire therefore is a single wiretransmission line that is not part of a circuit. Also, in someembodiments, a wire is not necessary, and the electromagnetic waves canpropagate along a single line transmission medium that is not a wire.

More generally, “guided electromagnetic waves” or “guided waves” asdescribed by the subject disclosure are affected by the presence of aphysical object that is at least a part of the transmission medium(e.g., a bare wire or other conductor, a dielectric, an insulated wire,a conduit or other hollow element, a bundle of insulated wires that iscoated, covered or surrounded by a dielectric or insulator or other wirebundle, or another form of solid or otherwise non-liquid or non-gaseoustransmission medium) so as to be at least partially bound to or guidedby the physical object and so as to propagate along a transmission pathof the physical object. Such a physical object can operate as at least apart of a transmission medium that guides, by way of an interface of thetransmission medium (e.g., an outer surface, inner surface, an interiorportion between the outer and the inner surfaces or other boundarybetween elements of the transmission medium), the propagation of guidedelectromagnetic waves, which in turn can carry energy, data and/or othersignals along the transmission path from a sending device to a receivingdevice.

Unlike free space propagation of wireless signals such as unguided (orunbounded) electromagnetic waves that decrease in intensity inversely bythe square of the distance traveled by the unguided electromagneticwaves, guided electromagnetic waves can propagate along a transmissionmedium with less loss in magnitude per unit distance than experienced byunguided electromagnetic waves.

An electrical circuit allows electrical signals to propagate from asending device to a receiving device via a forward electrical path and areturn electrical path, respectively. These electrical forward andreturn paths can be implemented via two conductors, such as two wires ora single wire and a common ground that serves as the second conductor.In particular, electrical current from the sending device (direct and/oralternating) flows through the electrical forward path and returns tothe transmission source via the electrical return path as an opposingcurrent. More particularly, electron flow in one conductor that flowsaway from the sending device, returns to the receiving device in theopposite direction via a second conductor or ground. Unlike electricalsignals, guided electromagnetic waves can propagate along a transmissionmedium (e.g., a bare conductor, an insulated conductor, a conduit, anon-conducting material such as a dielectric strip, or any other type ofobject suitable for the propagation of surface waves) from a sendingdevice to a receiving device or vice-versa without requiring thetransmission medium to be part of an electrical circuit (i.e., withoutrequiring an electrical return path) between the sending device and thereceiving device. Although electromagnetic waves can propagate in anopen circuit, i.e., a circuit without an electrical return path or witha break or gap that prevents the flow of electrical current through thecircuit, it is noted that electromagnetic waves can also propagate alonga surface of a transmission medium that is in fact part of an electricalcircuit. That is electromagnetic waves can travel along a first surfaceof a transmission medium having a forward electrical path and/or along asecond surface of a transmission medium having an electrical returnpath. As a consequence, guided electromagnetic waves can propagate alonga surface of a transmission medium from a sending device to a receivingdevice or vice-versa with or without an electrical circuit.

This permits, for example, transmission of guided electromagnetic wavesalong a transmission medium having no conductive components (e.g., adielectric strip). This also permits, for example, transmission ofguided electromagnetic waves that propagate along a transmission mediumhaving no more than a single conductor (e.g., an electromagnetic wavethat propagates along the surface of a single bare conductor or alongthe surface of a single insulated conductor or an electromagnetic wavethat propagates all or partly within the insulation of an insulatedconductor). Even if a transmission medium includes one or moreconductive components and the guided electromagnetic waves propagatingalong the transmission medium generate currents that, at times, flow inthe one or more conductive components in a direction of the guidedelectromagnetic waves, such guided electromagnetic waves can propagatealong the transmission medium from a sending device to a receivingdevice without a flow of an opposing current on an electrical returnpath back to the sending device from the receiving device. As aconsequence, the propagation of such guided electromagnetic waves can bereferred to as propagating via a single transmission line or propagatingvia a surface wave transmission line.

In a non-limiting illustration, consider a coaxial cable having a centerconductor and a ground shield that are separated by an insulator.Typically, in an electrical system a first terminal of a sending (andreceiving) device can be connected to the center conductor, and a secondterminal of the sending (and receiving) device can be connected to theground shield. If the sending device injects an electrical signal in thecenter conductor via the first terminal, the electrical signal willpropagate along the center conductor causing, at times, forward currentsand a corresponding flow of electrons in the center conductor, andreturn currents and an opposing flow of electrons in the ground shield.The same conditions apply for a two terminal receiving device.

In contrast, consider a guided wave communication system such asdescribed in the subject disclosure, which can utilize differentembodiments of a transmission medium (including among others a coaxialcable) for transmitting and receiving guided electromagnetic waveswithout an electrical circuit (i.e., without an electrical forward pathor electrical return path depending on your perspective). In oneembodiment, for example, the guided wave communication system of thesubject disclosure can be configured to induce guided electromagneticwaves that propagate along an outer surface of a coaxial cable (e.g.,the outer jacket or insulation layer of the coaxial cable). Although theguided electromagnetic waves will cause forward currents on the groundshield, the guided electromagnetic waves do not require return currentsin the center conductor to enable the guided electromagnetic waves topropagate along the outer surface of the coaxial cable. Said anotherway, while the guided electromagnetic waves will cause forward currentson the ground shield, the guided electromagnetic waves will not generateopposing return currents in the center conductor (or other electricalreturn path). The same can be said of other transmission media used by aguided wave communication system for the transmission and reception ofguided electromagnetic waves.

For example, guided electromagnetic waves induced by the guided wavecommunication system on an outer surface of a bare conductor, or aninsulated conductor can propagate along the outer surface of the bareconductor or the other surface of the insulated conductor withoutgenerating opposing return currents in an electrical return path. Asanother point of differentiation, where the majority of the signalenergy in an electrical circuit is induced by the flow of electrons inthe conductors themselves, guided electromagnetic waves propagating in aguided wave communication system on an outer surface of a bareconductor, cause only minimal forward currents in the bare conductor,with the majority of the signal energy of the electromagnetic waveconcentrated above the outer surface of the bare conductor and notinside the bare conductor. Furthermore, guided electromagnetic wavesthat are bound to the outer surface of an insulated conductor cause onlyminimal forward currents in the center conductor or conductors of theinsulated conductor, with the majority of the signal energy of theelectromagnetic wave concentrated in regions inside the insulationand/or above the outside surface of the insulated conductor—in otherwords, the majority of the signal energy of the electromagnetic wave isconcentrated outside the center conductor(s) of the insulated conductor.

Consequently, electrical systems that require two or more conductors forcarrying forward and reverse currents on separate conductors to enablethe propagation of electrical signals injected by a sending device aredistinct from guided wave systems that induce guided electromagneticwaves on an interface of a transmission medium without the need of anelectrical circuit to enable the propagation of the guidedelectromagnetic waves along the interface of the transmission medium.

It is further noted that guided electromagnetic waves as described inthe subject disclosure can have an electromagnetic field structure thatlies primarily or substantially outside of a transmission medium so asto be bound to or guided by the transmission medium and so as topropagate non-trivial distances on or along an outer surface of thetransmission medium. In other embodiments, guided electromagnetic wavescan have an electromagnetic field structure that lies primarily orsubstantially inside a transmission medium so as to be bound to orguided by the transmission medium and so as to propagate non-trivialdistances within the transmission medium. In other embodiments, guidedelectromagnetic waves can have an electromagnetic field structure thatlies partially inside and partially outside a transmission medium so asto be bound to or guided by the transmission medium and so as topropagate non-trivial distances along the transmission medium. Thedesired electronic field structure in an embodiment may vary based upona variety of factors, including the desired transmission distance, thecharacteristics of the transmission medium itself, and environmentalconditions/characteristics outside of the transmission medium (e.g.,presence of rain, fog, atmospheric conditions, etc.).

Various embodiments described herein relate to coupling devices, thatcan be referred to as “waveguide coupling devices”, “waveguide couplers”or more simply as “couplers”, “coupling devices” or “launchers” forlaunching and/or extracting guided electromagnetic waves to and from atransmission medium at millimeter-wave frequencies (e.g., 30 to 300GHz), wherein the wavelength can be small compared to one or moredimensions of the coupling device and/or the transmission medium such asthe circumference of a wire or other cross sectional dimension, or lowermicrowave frequencies such as 300 MHz to 30 GHz. Transmissions can begenerated to propagate as waves guided by a coupling device, such as: astrip, arc or other length of dielectric material; a horn, monopole,rod, slot or other antenna; an array of antennas; a magnetic resonantcavity, or other resonant coupler; a coil, a strip line, a waveguide orother coupling device. In operation, the coupling device receives anelectromagnetic wave from a transmitter or transmission medium. Theelectromagnetic field structure of the electromagnetic wave can becarried inside the coupling device, outside the coupling device or somecombination thereof. When the coupling device is in close proximity to atransmission medium, at least a portion of an electromagnetic wavecouples to or is bound to the transmission medium, and continues topropagate as guided electromagnetic waves. In a reciprocal fashion, acoupling device can extract guided waves from a transmission medium andtransfer these electromagnetic waves to a receiver.

According to an example embodiment, a surface wave is a type of guidedwave that is guided by a surface of a transmission medium, such as anexterior or outer surface of the wire, or another surface of the wirethat is adjacent to or exposed to another type of medium havingdifferent properties (e.g., dielectric properties). Indeed, in anexample embodiment, a surface of the wire that guides a surface wave canrepresent a transitional surface between two different types of media.For example, in the case of a bare or uninsulated wire, the surface ofthe wire can be the outer or exterior conductive surface of the bare oruninsulated wire that is exposed to air or free space. As anotherexample, in the case of insulated wire, the surface of the wire can bethe conductive portion of the wire that meets the insulator portion ofthe wire, or can otherwise be the insulator surface of the wire that isexposed to air or free space, or can otherwise be any material regionbetween the insulator surface of the wire and the conductive portion ofthe wire that meets the insulator portion of the wire, depending uponthe relative differences in the properties (e.g., dielectric properties)of the insulator, air, and/or the conductor and further dependent on thefrequency and propagation mode or modes of the guided wave.

According to an example embodiment, the term “about” a wire or othertransmission medium used in conjunction with a guided wave can includefundamental guided wave propagation modes such as a guided waves havinga circular or substantially circular field distribution, a symmetricalelectromagnetic field distribution (e.g., electric field, magneticfield, electromagnetic field, etc.) or other fundamental mode pattern atleast partially around a wire or other transmission medium. In addition,when a guided wave propagates “about” a wire or other transmissionmedium, it can do so according to a guided wave propagation mode thatincludes not only the fundamental wave propagation modes (e.g., zeroorder modes), but additionally or alternatively non-fundamental wavepropagation modes such as higher-order guided wave modes (e.g., 1^(st)order modes, 2^(nd) order modes, etc.), asymmetrical modes and/or otherguided (e.g., surface) waves that have non-circular field distributionsaround a wire or other transmission medium. As used herein, the term“guided wave mode” refers to a guided wave propagation mode of atransmission medium, coupling device or other system component of aguided wave communication system.

For example, such non-circular field distributions can be unilateral ormulti-lateral with one or more axial lobes characterized by relativelyhigher field strength and/or one or more nulls or null regionscharacterized by relatively low-field strength, zero-field strength orsubstantially zero-field strength. Further, the field distribution canotherwise vary as a function of azimuthal orientation around the wiresuch that one or more angular regions around the wire have an electricor magnetic field strength (or combination thereof) that is higher thanone or more other angular regions of azimuthal orientation, according toan example embodiment. It will be appreciated that the relativeorientations or positions of the guided wave higher order modes orasymmetrical modes can vary as the guided wave travels along the wire.

As used herein, the term “millimeter-wave” can refer to electromagneticwaves/signals that fall within the “millimeter-wave frequency band” of30 GHz to 300 GHz. The term “microwave” can refer to electromagneticwaves/signals that fall within a “microwave frequency band” of 300 MHzto 300 GHz. The term “radio frequency” or “RF” can refer toelectromagnetic waves/signals that fall within the “radio frequencyband” of 10 kHz to 1 THz. It is appreciated that wireless signals,electrical signals, and guided electromagnetic waves as described in thesubject disclosure can be configured to operate at any desirablefrequency range, such as, for example, at frequencies within, above orbelow millimeter-wave and/or microwave frequency bands. In particular,when a coupling device or transmission medium includes a conductiveelement, the frequency of the guided electromagnetic waves that arecarried by the coupling device and/or propagate along the transmissionmedium can be below the mean collision frequency of the electrons in theconductive element. Further, the frequency of the guided electromagneticwaves that are carried by the coupling device and/or propagate along thetransmission medium can be a non-optical frequency, e.g. a radiofrequency below the range of optical frequencies that begins at 1 THz.

As used herein, the term “antenna” can refer to a device that is part ofa transmitting or receiving system to transmit/radiate or receivewireless signals.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a device can include firstand second groups of transmitters coupled with a transmission medium.The device can include first and second groups of receivers coupled withthe transmission medium. The device can include a processing systemincluding a processor. The first group of transmitters and the firstgroup of receivers can be positioned along the transmission medium. Thesecond group of transmitters and the second group of receivers can bepositioned along the transmission medium. Each of the first group oftransmitters can generate a first electromagnetic wave resulting in afirst group of electromagnetic waves, where each of the first group ofelectromagnetic waves propagates along the transmission medium and isguided by the transmission medium to a corresponding one of the firstgroup of receivers. Each of the second group of transmitters cangenerate a second electromagnetic wave resulting in a second group ofelectromagnetic waves, where each of the second group of electromagneticwaves propagates along the transmission medium and is guided by thetransmission medium to a corresponding one of the second group ofreceivers. A first receiver of the first group of receivers can detect afirst disturbance in one of the first group of electromagnetic waves. Asecond receiver of the second group of receivers can detect a seconddisturbance in one of the second group of electromagnetic waves. Theprocessing system can determine a position of a physical object inproximity to the transmission medium according to locations of the firstand second receivers with respect to the transmission medium.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method can includegenerating, by each of a first group of transmitters of a communicationdevice, a first electromagnetic wave resulting in a first group ofelectromagnetic waves, where each of the first group of electromagneticwaves propagates along a transmission medium of the communication deviceand is guided by the transmission medium to a corresponding one of afirst group of receivers of the communication device. The method caninclude generating, by each of a second group of transmitters of thecommunication device, a second electromagnetic wave resulting in asecond group of electromagnetic waves, where each of the second group ofelectromagnetic waves propagates along the transmission medium and isguided by the transmission medium to a corresponding one of a secondgroup of receivers of the communication device. The method can includedetecting, by a first receiver of the first group of receivers, a firstdisturbance in one of the first group of electromagnetic waves. Themethod can include detecting, by a second receiver of the second groupof receivers, a second disturbance in one of the second group ofelectromagnetic waves. A processing system can determine a position of aphysical object in proximity to the transmission medium according tolocations of the first and second receivers with respect to thetransmission medium.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a machine-readable storagedevice, includes instructions, where responsive to executing theinstructions, a processing system of a communication device performsoperations including generating, by each of a first group oftransmitters, a first electromagnetic wave resulting in a first group ofelectromagnetic waves, where each of the first group of electromagneticwaves propagates along a transmission medium of the communication deviceand is guided by the transmission medium to a corresponding one of afirst group of receivers. The operations can include generating, by eachof a second group of transmitters, a second electromagnetic waveresulting in a second group of electromagnetic waves, where each of thesecond group of electromagnetic waves propagates along the transmissionmedium and is guided by the transmission medium to a corresponding oneof a second group of receivers. The operations can include detecting, bya first receiver of the first group of receivers, a first disturbance inone of the first group of electromagnetic waves. The operations caninclude detecting, by a second receiver of the second group ofreceivers, a second disturbance in one of the second group ofelectromagnetic waves. The operations can include determining a positionof a physical object in proximity to the transmission medium accordingto locations of the first and second receivers with respect to thetransmission medium.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method can includereceiving, by a receiver of a first device, electromagnetic waves thatare generated by a transmitter of a second device at a physicalinterface of a transmission medium, where the electromagnetic wavespropagate without requiring an electrical return path, and where theelectromagnetic waves are guided by the transmission medium to thereceiver of the first device. The first device can monitor a parameterassociated with the electromagnetic waves. The first device can detect aphysical object in proximity to the transmission medium according to achange in the parameter associated with the electromagnetic waves.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a first device can include aprocessing system including a processor, and including a memory thatstores executable instructions that, when executed by the processingsystem, facilitate performance of operations. The operations can includegenerating electromagnetic waves, and can include providing theelectromagnetic waves at a physical interface of a transmission medium,where the electromagnetic waves propagate without requiring anelectrical return path, and where the electromagnetic waves are guidedby the transmission medium to a receiver of a second device. Theproviding of the electromagnetic waves can enable the second device todetect a physical object in proximity to the transmission mediumaccording to a change in a parameter associated with the electromagneticwaves.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a machine-readable storagedevice, includes instructions, where responsive to executing theinstructions, a processing system of a first device performs operationsincluding receiving, via a receiver of the first device, electromagneticwaves that are generated by a transmitter of a second device at aphysical interface of a transmission medium, where the electromagneticwaves propagate without requiring an electrical return path, and wherethe electromagnetic waves are guided by the transmission medium to thereceiver of the first device. The operations can include monitoring fora disturbance in the electromagnetic waves. The operations can includedetecting a physical object in proximity to the transmission mediumaccording to a determination of the disturbance in the electromagneticwaves.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a block diagram 100 illustrating an example,non-limiting embodiment of a guided wave communications system is shown.In operation, a transmission device 101 receives one or morecommunication signals 110 from a communication network or othercommunications device that includes data and generates guided waves 120to convey the data via the transmission medium 125 to the transmissiondevice 102. The transmission device 102 receives the guided waves 120and converts them to communication signals 112 that include the data fortransmission to a communications network or other communications device.The guided waves 120 can be modulated to convey data via a modulationtechnique such as phase shift keying, frequency shift keying, quadratureamplitude modulation, amplitude modulation, multi-carrier modulationsuch as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing and via multipleaccess techniques such as frequency division multiplexing, time divisionmultiplexing, code division multiplexing, multiplexing via differingwave propagation modes and via other modulation and access strategies.

The communication network or networks can include a wirelesscommunication network such as a mobile data network, a cellular voiceand data network, a wireless local area network (e.g., WiFi or an 802.xxnetwork), a satellite communications network, a personal area network orother wireless network. The communication network or networks can alsoinclude a wired communication network such as a telephone network, anEthernet network, a local area network, a wide area network such as theInternet, a broadband access network, a cable network, a fiber opticnetwork, or other wired network. The communication devices can include anetwork edge device, bridge device or home gateway, a set-top box,broadband modem, telephone adapter, access point, base station, or otherfixed communication device, a mobile communication device such as anautomotive gateway or automobile, laptop computer, tablet, smartphone,cellular telephone, or other communication device.

In an example embodiment, the guided wave communication system 100 canoperate in a bi-directional fashion where transmission device 102receives one or more communication signals 112 from a communicationnetwork or device that includes other data and generates guided waves122 to convey the other data via the transmission medium 125 to thetransmission device 101. In this mode of operation, the transmissiondevice 101 receives the guided waves 122 and converts them tocommunication signals 110 that include the other data for transmissionto a communications network or device. The guided waves 122 can bemodulated to convey data via a modulation technique such as phase shiftkeying, frequency shift keying, quadrature amplitude modulation,amplitude modulation, multi-carrier modulation such as orthogonalfrequency division multiplexing and via multiple access techniques suchas frequency division multiplexing, time division multiplexing, codedivision multiplexing, multiplexing via differing wave propagation modesand via other modulation and access strategies.

The transmission medium 125 can include a cable having at least oneinner portion surrounded by a dielectric material such as an insulatoror other dielectric cover, coating or other dielectric material, thedielectric material having an outer surface and a correspondingcircumference. In an example embodiment, the transmission medium 125operates as a single-wire transmission line to guide the transmission ofan electromagnetic wave. When the transmission medium 125 is implementedas a single wire transmission system, it can include a wire. The wirecan be insulated or uninsulated, and single-stranded or multi-stranded(e.g., braided). In other embodiments, the transmission medium 125 cancontain conductors of other shapes or configurations including wirebundles, cables, rods, rails, pipes. In addition, the transmissionmedium 125 can include non-conductors such as dielectric pipes, rods,rails, or other dielectric members; combinations of conductors anddielectric materials, conductors without dielectric materials or otherguided wave transmission media. It should be noted that the transmissionmedium 125 can otherwise include any of the transmission mediapreviously discussed.

Further, as previously discussed, the guided waves 120 and 122 can becontrasted with radio transmissions over free space/air or conventionalpropagation of electrical power or signals through the conductor of awire via an electrical circuit. In addition to the propagation of guidedwaves 120 and 122, the transmission medium 125 may optionally containone or more wires that propagate electrical power or other communicationsignals in a conventional manner as a part of one or more electricalcircuits.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a block diagram 200 illustrating an example,non-limiting embodiment of a transmission device is shown. Thetransmission device 101 or 102 includes a communications interface (I/F)205, a transceiver 210 and a coupler 220.

In an example of operation, the communications interface 205 receives acommunication signal 110 or 112 that includes data. In variousembodiments, the communications interface 205 can include a wirelessinterface for receiving a wireless communication signal in accordancewith a wireless standard protocol such as LTE or other cellular voiceand data protocol, WiFi or an 802.11 protocol, WIMAX protocol, UltraWideband protocol, Bluetooth protocol, Zigbee protocol, a directbroadcast satellite (DBS) or other satellite communication protocol orother wireless protocol. In addition or in the alternative, thecommunications interface 205 includes a wired interface that operates inaccordance with an Ethernet protocol, universal serial bus (USB)protocol, a data over cable service interface specification (DOCSIS)protocol, a digital subscriber line (DSL) protocol, a Firewire (IEEE1394) protocol, or other wired protocol. In additional tostandards-based protocols, the communications interface 205 can operatein conjunction with other wired or wireless protocol. In addition, thecommunications interface 205 can optionally operate in conjunction witha protocol stack that includes multiple protocol layers including a MACprotocol, transport protocol, application protocol, etc.

In an example of operation, the transceiver 210 generates anelectromagnetic wave based on the communication signal 110 or 112 toconvey the data. The electromagnetic wave has at least one carrierfrequency and at least one corresponding wavelength. The carrierfrequency can be within a millimeter-wave frequency band of 30 GHz-300GHz, such as 60 GHz or a carrier frequency in the range of 30-40 GHz ora lower frequency band of 300 MHz-30 GHz in the microwave frequencyrange such as 26-30 GHz, 11 GHz, 6 GHz or 3 GHz, but it will beappreciated that other carrier frequencies are possible in otherembodiments. In one mode of operation, the transceiver 210 merelyupconverts the communications signal or signals 110 or 112 fortransmission of the electromagnetic signal in the microwave ormillimeter-wave band as a guided electromagnetic wave that is guided byor bound to the transmission medium 125. In another mode of operation,the communications interface 205 either converts the communicationsignal 110 or 112 to a baseband or near baseband signal or extracts thedata from the communication signal 110 or 112 and the transceiver 210modulates a high-frequency carrier with the data, the baseband or nearbaseband signal for transmission. It should be appreciated that thetransceiver 210 can modulate the data received via the communicationsignal 110 or 112 to preserve one or more data communication protocolsof the communication signal 110 or 112 either by encapsulation in thepayload of a different protocol or by simple frequency shifting. In thealternative, the transceiver 210 can otherwise translate the datareceived via the communication signal 110 or 112 to a protocol that isdifferent from the data communication protocol or protocols of thecommunication signal 110 or 112.

In an example of operation, the coupler 220 couples the electromagneticwave to the transmission medium 125 as a guided electromagnetic wave toconvey the communications signal or signals 110 or 112. While the priordescription has focused on the operation of the transceiver 210 as atransmitter, the transceiver 210 can also operate to receiveelectromagnetic waves that convey other data from the single wiretransmission medium via the coupler 220 and to generate communicationssignals 110 or 112, via communications interface 205 that includes theother data. Consider embodiments where an additional guidedelectromagnetic wave conveys other data that also propagates along thetransmission medium 125. The coupler 220 can also couple this additionalelectromagnetic wave from the transmission medium 125 to the transceiver210 for reception.

The transmission device 101 or 102 includes an optional trainingcontroller 230. In an example embodiment, the training controller 230 isimplemented by a standalone processor or a processor that is shared withone or more other components of the transmission device 101 or 102. Thetraining controller 230 selects the carrier frequencies, modulationschemes and/or guided wave modes for the guided electromagnetic wavesbased on feedback data received by the transceiver 210 from at least oneremote transmission device coupled to receive the guided electromagneticwave.

In an example embodiment, a guided electromagnetic wave transmitted by aremote transmission device 101 or 102 conveys data that also propagatesalong the transmission medium 125. The data from the remote transmissiondevice 101 or 102 can be generated to include the feedback data. Inoperation, the coupler 220 also couples the guided electromagnetic wavefrom the transmission medium 125 and the transceiver receives theelectromagnetic wave and processes the electromagnetic wave to extractthe feedback data.

In an example embodiment, the training controller 230 operates based onthe feedback data to evaluate a plurality of candidate frequencies,modulation schemes and/or transmission modes to select a carrierfrequency, modulation scheme and/or transmission mode to enhanceperformance, such as throughput, signal strength, reduce propagationloss, etc.

Consider the following example: a transmission device 101 beginsoperation under control of the training controller 230 by sending aplurality of guided waves as test signals such as pilot waves or othertest signals at a corresponding plurality of candidate frequenciesand/or candidate modes directed to a remote transmission device 102coupled to the transmission medium 125. The guided waves can include, inaddition or in the alternative, test data. The test data can indicatethe particular candidate frequency and/or guide-wave mode of the signal.In an embodiment, the training controller 230 at the remote transmissiondevice 102 receives the test signals and/or test data from any of theguided waves that were properly received and determines the bestcandidate frequency and/or guided wave mode, a set of acceptablecandidate frequencies and/or guided wave modes, or a rank ordering ofcandidate frequencies and/or guided wave modes. This selection ofcandidate frequenc(ies) or/and guided-mode(s) are generated by thetraining controller 230 based on one or more optimizing criteria such asreceived signal strength, bit error rate, packet error rate, signal tonoise ratio, propagation loss, etc. The training controller 230generates feedback data that indicates the selection of candidatefrequenc(ies) or/and guided wave mode(s) and sends the feedback data tothe transceiver 210 for transmission to the transmission device 101. Thetransmission device 101 and 102 can then communicate data with oneanother based on the selection of candidate frequenc(ies) or/and guidedwave mode(s).

In other embodiments, the guided electromagnetic waves that contain thetest signals and/or test data are reflected back, repeated back orotherwise looped back by the remote transmission device 102 to thetransmission device 101 for reception and analysis by the trainingcontroller 230 of the transmission device 101 that initiated thesewaves. For example, the transmission device 101 can send a signal to theremote transmission device 102 to initiate a test mode where a physicalreflector is switched on the line, a termination impedance is changed tocause reflections, a loop back mode is switched on to coupleelectromagnetic waves back to the source transmission device 102, and/ora repeater mode is enabled to amplify and retransmit the electromagneticwaves back to the source transmission device 102. The trainingcontroller 230 at the source transmission device 102 receives the testsignals and/or test data from any of the guided waves that were properlyreceived and determines selection of candidate frequenc(ies) or/andguided wave mode(s).

While the procedure above has been described in a start-up orinitialization mode of operation, each transmission device 101 or 102can send test signals, evaluate candidate frequencies or guided wavemodes via non-test such as normal transmissions or otherwise evaluatecandidate frequencies or guided wave modes at other times orcontinuously as well. In an example embodiment, the communicationprotocol between the transmission devices 101 and 102 can include anon-request or periodic test mode where either full testing or morelimited testing of a subset of candidate frequencies and guided wavemodes are tested and evaluated. In other modes of operation, there-entry into such a test mode can be triggered by a degradation ofperformance due to a disturbance, weather conditions, etc. In an exampleembodiment, the receiver bandwidth of the transceiver 210 is eithersufficiently wide or swept to receive all candidate frequencies or canbe selectively adjusted by the training controller 230 to a trainingmode where the receiver bandwidth of the transceiver 210 is sufficientlywide or swept to receive all candidate frequencies.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a graphical diagram 300 illustrating anexample, non-limiting embodiment of an electromagnetic fielddistribution is shown. In this embodiment, a transmission medium 125 inair includes an inner conductor 301 and an insulating jacket 302 ofdielectric material, as shown in cross section. The diagram 300 includesdifferent gray-scales that represent differing electromagnetic fieldstrengths generated by the propagation of the guided wave having anasymmetrical and non-fundamental guided wave mode.

In particular, the electromagnetic field distribution corresponds to amodal “sweet spot” that enhances guided electromagnetic wave propagationalong an insulated transmission medium and reduces end-to-endtransmission loss. In this particular mode, electromagnetic waves areguided by the transmission medium 125 to propagate along an outersurface of the transmission medium—in this case, the outer surface ofthe insulating jacket 302. Electromagnetic waves are partially embeddedin the insulator and partially radiating on the outer surface of theinsulator. In this fashion, electromagnetic waves are “lightly” coupledto the insulator so as to enable electromagnetic wave propagation atlong distances with low propagation loss.

As shown, the guided wave has a field structure that lies primarily orsubstantially outside of the transmission medium 125 that serves toguide the electromagnetic waves. The regions inside the conductor 301have little or no field. Likewise regions inside the insulating jacket302 have low field strength. The majority of the electromagnetic fieldstrength is distributed in the lobes 304 at the outer surface of theinsulating jacket 302 and in close proximity thereof. The presence of anasymmetric guided wave mode is shown by the high electromagnetic fieldstrengths at the top and bottom of the outer surface of the insulatingjacket 302 (in the orientation of the diagram)—as opposed to very smallfield strengths on the other sides of the insulating jacket 302.

The example shown corresponds to a 38 GHz electromagnetic wave guided bya wire with a diameter of 1.1 cm and a dielectric insulation ofthickness of 0.36 cm. Because the electromagnetic wave is guided by thetransmission medium 125 and the majority of the field strength isconcentrated in the air outside of the insulating jacket 302 within alimited distance of the outer surface, the guided wave can propagatelongitudinally down the transmission medium 125 with very low loss. Inthe example shown, this “limited distance” corresponds to a distancefrom the outer surface that is less than half the largest crosssectional dimension of the transmission medium 125. In this case, thelargest cross sectional dimension of the wire corresponds to the overalldiameter of 1.82 cm, however, this value can vary with the size andshape of the transmission medium 125. For example, should thetransmission medium 125 be of a rectangular shape with a height of 0.3cm and a width of 0.4 cm, the largest cross sectional dimension would bethe diagonal of 0.5 cm and the corresponding limited distance would be0.25 cm. The dimensions of the area containing the majority of the fieldstrength also vary with the frequency, and in general, increase ascarrier frequencies decrease.

It should also be noted that the components of a guided wavecommunication system, such as couplers and transmission media can havetheir own cut-off frequencies for each guided wave mode. The cut-offfrequency generally sets forth the lowest frequency that a particularguided wave mode is designed to be supported by that particularcomponent. In an example embodiment, the particular asymmetric mode ofpropagation shown is induced on the transmission medium 125 by anelectromagnetic wave having a frequency that falls within a limitedrange (such as Fc to 2Fc) of the lower cut-off frequency Fc for thisparticular asymmetric mode. The lower cut-off frequency Fc is particularto the characteristics of transmission medium 125. For embodiments asshown that include an inner conductor 301 surrounded by an insulatingjacket 302, this cutoff frequency can vary based on the dimensions andproperties of the insulating jacket 302 and potentially the dimensionsand properties of the inner conductor 301 and can be determinedexperimentally to have a desired mode pattern. It should be notedhowever, that similar effects can be found for a hollow dielectric orinsulator without an inner conductor. In this case, the cutoff frequencycan vary based on the dimensions and properties of the hollow dielectricor insulator.

At frequencies lower than the lower cut-off frequency, the asymmetricmode is difficult to induce in the transmission medium 125 and fails topropagate for all but trivial distances. As the frequency increasesabove the limited range of frequencies about the cut-off frequency, theasymmetric mode shifts more and more inward of the insulating jacket302. At frequencies much larger than the cut-off frequency, the fieldstrength is no longer concentrated outside of the insulating jacket, butprimarily inside of the insulating jacket 302. While the transmissionmedium 125 provides strong guidance to the electromagnetic wave andpropagation is still possible, ranges are more limited by increasedlosses due to propagation within the insulating jacket 302—as opposed tothe surrounding air.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a graphical diagram 400 illustrating anexample, non-limiting embodiment of an electromagnetic fielddistribution is shown. In particular, a cross section diagram 400,similar to FIG. 3 is shown with common reference numerals used to referto similar elements. The example shown corresponds to a 60 GHz waveguided by a wire with a diameter of 1.1 cm and a dielectric insulationof thickness of 0.36 cm. Because the frequency of the guided wave isabove the limited range of the cut-off frequency of this particularasymmetric mode, much of the field strength has shifted inward of theinsulating jacket 302. In particular, the field strength is concentratedprimarily inside of the insulating jacket 302. While the transmissionmedium 125 provides strong guidance to the electromagnetic wave andpropagation is still possible, ranges are more limited when comparedwith the embodiment of FIG. 3, by increased losses due to propagationwithin the insulating jacket 302.

Referring now to FIG. 5A, a graphical diagram illustrating an example,non-limiting embodiment of a frequency response is shown. In particular,diagram 500 presents a graph of end-to-end loss (in dB) as a function offrequency, overlaid with electromagnetic field distributions 510, 520and 530 at three points for a 200 cm insulated medium voltage wire. Theboundary between the insulator and the surrounding air is represented byreference numeral 525 in each electromagnetic field distribution.

As discussed in conjunction with FIG. 3, an example of a desiredasymmetric mode of propagation shown is induced on the transmissionmedium 125 by an electromagnetic wave having a frequency that fallswithin a limited range (such as Fc to 2Fc) of the lower cut-offfrequency Fc of the transmission medium for this particular asymmetricmode. In particular, the electromagnetic field distribution 520 at 6 GHzfalls within this modal “sweet spot” that enhances electromagnetic wavepropagation along an insulated transmission medium and reducesend-to-end transmission loss. In this particular mode, guided waves arepartially embedded in the insulator and partially radiating on the outersurface of the insulator. In this fashion, the electromagnetic waves are“lightly” coupled to the insulator so as to enable guidedelectromagnetic wave propagation at long distances with low propagationloss.

At lower frequencies represented by the electromagnetic fielddistribution 510 at 3 GHz, the asymmetric mode radiates more heavilygenerating higher propagation losses. At higher frequencies representedby the electromagnetic field distribution 530 at 9 GHz, the asymmetricmode shifts more and more inward of the insulating jacket providing toomuch absorption, again generating higher propagation losses.

Referring now to FIG. 5B, a graphical diagram 550 illustrating example,non-limiting embodiments of a longitudinal cross-section of atransmission medium 125, such as an insulated wire, depicting fields ofguided electromagnetic waves at various operating frequencies is shown.As shown in diagram 556, when the guided electromagnetic waves are atapproximately the cutoff frequency (f_(c)) corresponding to the modal“sweet spot”, the guided electromagnetic waves are loosely coupled tothe insulated wire so that absorption is reduced, and the fields of theguided electromagnetic waves are bound sufficiently to reduce the amountradiated into the environment (e.g., air). Because absorption andradiation of the fields of the guided electromagnetic waves is low,propagation losses are consequently low, enabling the guidedelectromagnetic waves to propagate for longer distances.

As shown in diagram 554, propagation losses increase when an operatingfrequency of the guide electromagnetic waves increases above abouttwo-times the cutoff frequency (f_(c))—or as referred to, above therange of the “sweet spot”. More of the field strength of theelectromagnetic wave is driven inside the insulating layer, increasingpropagation losses. At frequencies much higher than the cutoff frequency(f_(c)) the guided electromagnetic waves are strongly bound to theinsulated wire as a result of the fields emitted by the guidedelectromagnetic waves being concentrated in the insulation layer of thewire, as shown in diagram 552. This in turn raises propagation lossesfurther due to absorption of the guided electromagnetic waves by theinsulation layer. Similarly, propagation losses increase when theoperating frequency of the guided electromagnetic waves is substantiallybelow the cutoff frequency (f_(c)), as shown in diagram 558. Atfrequencies much lower than the cutoff frequency (f_(c)) the guidedelectromagnetic waves are weakly (or nominally) bound to the insulatedwire and thereby tend to radiate into the environment (e.g., air), whichin turn, raises propagation losses due to radiation of the guidedelectromagnetic waves.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a graphical diagram 600 illustrating anexample, non-limiting embodiment of an electromagnetic fielddistribution is shown. In this embodiment, a transmission medium 602 isa bare wire, as shown in cross section. The diagram 300 includesdifferent gray-scales that represent differing electromagnetic fieldstrengths generated by the propagation of a guided wave having asymmetrical and fundamental guided wave mode at a single carrierfrequency.

In this particular mode, electromagnetic waves are guided by thetransmission medium 602 to propagate along an outer surface of thetransmission medium—in this case, the outer surface of the bare wire.Electromagnetic waves are “lightly” coupled to the wire so as to enableelectromagnetic wave propagation at long distances with low propagationloss. As shown, the guided wave has a field structure that liessubstantially outside of the transmission medium 602 that serves toguide the electromagnetic waves. The regions inside the conductor havelittle or no field.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a block diagram 700 illustrating an example,non-limiting embodiment of an arc coupler is shown. In particular acoupling device is presented for use in a transmission device, such astransmission device 101 or 102 presented in conjunction with FIG. 1. Thecoupling device includes an arc coupler 704 coupled to a transmittercircuit 712 and termination or damper 714. The arc coupler 704 can bemade of a dielectric material, or other low-loss insulator (e.g.,Teflon, polyethylene, etc.), or made of a conducting (e.g., metallic,non-metallic, etc.) material, or any combination of the foregoingmaterials. As shown, the arc coupler 704 operates as a waveguide and hasa wave 706 propagating as a guided wave about a waveguide surface of thearc coupler 704. In the embodiment shown, at least a portion of the arccoupler 704 can be placed near a wire 702 or other transmission medium,(such as transmission medium 125), in order to facilitate couplingbetween the arc coupler 704 and the wire 702 or other transmissionmedium, as described herein to launch the guided wave 708 on the wire.The arc coupler 704 can be placed such that a portion of the curved arccoupler 704 is tangential to, and parallel or substantially parallel tothe wire 702. The portion of the arc coupler 704 that is parallel to thewire can be an apex of the curve, or any point where a tangent of thecurve is parallel to the wire 702. When the arc coupler 704 ispositioned or placed thusly, the wave 706 travelling along the arccoupler 704 couples, at least in part, to the wire 702, and propagatesas guided wave 708 around or about the wire surface of the wire 702 andlongitudinally along the wire 702. The guided wave 708 can becharacterized as a surface wave or other electromagnetic wave that isguided by or bound to the wire 702 or other transmission medium.

A portion of the wave 706 that does not couple to the wire 702propagates as a wave 710 along the arc coupler 704. It will beappreciated that the arc coupler 704 can be configured and arranged in avariety of positions in relation to the wire 702 to achieve a desiredlevel of coupling or non-coupling of the wave 706 to the wire 702. Forexample, the curvature and/or length of the arc coupler 704 that isparallel or substantially parallel, as well as its separation distance(which can include zero separation distance in an embodiment), to thewire 702 can be varied without departing from example embodiments.Likewise, the arrangement of arc coupler 704 in relation to the wire 702may be varied based upon considerations of the respective intrinsiccharacteristics (e.g., thickness, composition, electromagneticproperties, etc.) of the wire 702 and the arc coupler 704, as well asthe characteristics (e.g., frequency, energy level, etc.) of the waves706 and 708.

The guided wave 708 stays parallel or substantially parallel to the wire702, even as the wire 702 bends and flexes. Bends in the wire 702 canincrease transmission losses, which are also dependent on wirediameters, frequency, and materials. If the dimensions of the arccoupler 704 are chosen for efficient power transfer, most of the powerin the wave 706 is transferred to the wire 702, with little powerremaining in wave 710. It will be appreciated that the guided wave 708can still be multi-modal in nature (discussed herein), including havingmodes that are non-fundamental or asymmetric, while traveling along apath that is parallel or substantially parallel to the wire 702, with orwithout a fundamental transmission mode. In an embodiment,non-fundamental or asymmetric modes can be utilized to minimizetransmission losses and/or obtain increased propagation distances.

It is noted that the term parallel is generally a geometric constructwhich often is not exactly achievable in real systems. Accordingly, theterm parallel as utilized in the subject disclosure represents anapproximation rather than an exact configuration when used to describeembodiments disclosed in the subject disclosure. In an embodiment,substantially parallel can include approximations that are within 30degrees of true parallel in all dimensions.

In an embodiment, the wave 706 can exhibit one or more wave propagationmodes. The arc coupler modes can be dependent on the shape and/or designof the coupler 704. The one or more arc coupler modes of wave 706 cangenerate, influence, or impact one or more wave propagation modes of theguided wave 708 propagating along wire 702. It should be particularlynoted however that the guided wave modes present in the guided wave 706may be the same or different from the guided wave modes of the guidedwave 708. In this fashion, one or more guided wave modes of the guidedwave 706 may not be transferred to the guided wave 708, and further oneor more guided wave modes of guided wave 708 may not have been presentin guided wave 706. It should also be noted that the cut-off frequencyof the arc coupler 704 for a particular guided wave mode may bedifferent than the cutoff frequency of the wire 702 or othertransmission medium for that same mode. For example, while the wire 702or other transmission medium may be operated slightly above its cutofffrequency for a particular guided wave mode, the arc coupler 704 may beoperated well above its cut-off frequency for that same mode for lowloss, slightly below its cut-off frequency for that same mode to, forexample, induce greater coupling and power transfer, or some other pointin relation to the arc coupler's cutoff frequency for that mode.

In an embodiment, the wave propagation modes on the wire 702 can besimilar to the arc coupler modes since both waves 706 and 708 propagateabout the outside of the arc coupler 704 and wire 702 respectively. Insome embodiments, as the wave 706 couples to the wire 702, the modes canchange form, or new modes can be created or generated, due to thecoupling between the arc coupler 704 and the wire 702. For example,differences in size, material, and/or impedances of the arc coupler 704and wire 702 may create additional modes not present in the arc couplermodes and/or suppress some of the arc coupler modes. The wavepropagation modes can comprise the fundamental transverseelectromagnetic mode (Quasi-TEM₀₀), where only small electric and/ormagnetic fields extend in the direction of propagation, and the electricand magnetic fields extend radially outwards while the guided wavepropagates along the wire. This guided wave mode can be donut shaped,where few of the electromagnetic fields exist within the arc coupler 704or wire 702.

Waves 706 and 708 can comprise a fundamental TEM mode where the fieldsextend radially outwards, and also comprise other, non-fundamental(e.g., asymmetric, higher-level, etc.) modes. While particular wavepropagation modes are discussed above, other wave propagation modes arelikewise possible such as transverse electric (TE) and transversemagnetic (TM) modes, based on the frequencies employed, the design ofthe arc coupler 704, the dimensions and composition of the wire 702, aswell as its surface characteristics, its insulation if present, theelectromagnetic properties of the surrounding environment, etc. Itshould be noted that, depending on the frequency, the electrical andphysical characteristics of the wire 702 and the particular wavepropagation modes that are generated, guided wave 708 can travel alongthe conductive surface of an oxidized uninsulated wire, an unoxidizeduninsulated wire, an insulated wire and/or along the insulating surfaceof an insulated wire.

In an embodiment, a diameter of the arc coupler 704 is smaller than thediameter of the wire 702. For the millimeter-band wavelength being used,the arc coupler 704 supports a single waveguide mode that makes up wave706. This single waveguide mode can change as it couples to the wire 702as guided wave 708. If the arc coupler 704 were larger, more than onewaveguide mode can be supported, but these additional waveguide modesmay not couple to the wire 702 as efficiently, and higher couplinglosses can result. However, in some alternative embodiments, thediameter of the arc coupler 704 can be equal to or larger than thediameter of the wire 702, for example, where higher coupling losses aredesirable or when used in conjunction with other techniques to otherwisereduce coupling losses (e.g., impedance matching with tapering, etc.).

In an embodiment, the wavelength of the waves 706 and 708 are comparablein size, or smaller than a circumference of the arc coupler 704 and thewire 702. In an example, if the wire 702 has a diameter of 0.5 cm, and acorresponding circumference of around 1.5 cm, the wavelength of thetransmission is around 1.5 cm or less, corresponding to a frequency of70 GHz or greater. In another embodiment, a suitable frequency of thetransmission and the carrier-wave signal is in the range of 30-100 GHz,perhaps around 30-60 GHz, and around 38 GHz in one example. In anembodiment, when the circumference of the arc coupler 704 and wire 702is comparable in size to, or greater, than a wavelength of thetransmission, the waves 706 and 708 can exhibit multiple wavepropagation modes including fundamental and/or non-fundamental(symmetric and/or asymmetric) modes that propagate over sufficientdistances to support various communication systems described herein. Thewaves 706 and 708 can therefore comprise more than one type of electricand magnetic field configuration. In an embodiment, as the guided wave708 propagates down the wire 702, the electrical and magnetic fieldconfigurations will remain the same from end to end of the wire 702. Inother embodiments, as the guided wave 708 encounters interference(distortion or obstructions) or loses energy due to transmission lossesor scattering, the electric and magnetic field configurations can changeas the guided wave 708 propagates down wire 702.

In an embodiment, the arc coupler 704 can be composed of nylon, Teflon,polyethylene, a polyamide, or other plastics. In other embodiments,other dielectric materials are possible. The wire surface of wire 702can be metallic with either a bare metallic surface, or can be insulatedusing plastic, dielectric, insulator or other coating, jacket orsheathing. In an embodiment, a dielectric or otherwisenon-conducting/insulated waveguide can be paired with either abare/metallic wire or insulated wire. In other embodiments, a metallicand/or conductive waveguide can be paired with a bare/metallic wire orinsulated wire. In an embodiment, an oxidation layer on the baremetallic surface of the wire 702 (e.g., resulting from exposure of thebare metallic surface to oxygen/air) can also provide insulating ordielectric properties similar to those provided by some insulators orsheathings.

It is noted that the graphical representations of waves 706, 708 and 710are presented merely to illustrate the principles that wave 706 inducesor otherwise launches a guided wave 708 on a wire 702 that operates, forexample, as a single wire transmission line. Wave 710 represents theportion of wave 706 that remains on the arc coupler 704 after thegeneration of guided wave 708. The actual electric and magnetic fieldsgenerated as a result of such wave propagation may vary depending on thefrequencies employed, the particular wave propagation mode or modes, thedesign of the arc coupler 704, the dimensions and composition of thewire 702, as well as its surface characteristics, its optionalinsulation, the electromagnetic properties of the surroundingenvironment, etc.

It is noted that arc coupler 704 can include a termination circuit ordamper 714 at the end of the arc coupler 704 that can absorb leftoverradiation or energy from wave 710. The termination circuit or damper 714can prevent and/or minimize the leftover radiation or energy from wave710 reflecting back toward transmitter circuit 712. In an embodiment,the termination circuit or damper 714 can include termination resistors,and/or other components that perform impedance matching to attenuatereflection. In some embodiments, if the coupling efficiencies are highenough, and/or wave 710 is sufficiently small, it may not be necessaryto use a termination circuit or damper 714. For the sake of simplicity,these transmitter 712 and termination circuits or dampers 714 may not bedepicted in the other figures, but in those embodiments, transmitter andtermination circuits or dampers may possibly be used.

Further, while a single arc coupler 704 is presented that generates asingle guided wave 708, multiple arc couplers 704 placed at differentpoints along the wire 702 and/or at different azimuthal orientationsabout the wire can be employed to generate and receive multiple guidedwaves 708 at the same or different frequencies, at the same or differentphases, at the same or different wave propagation modes.

FIG. 8, a block diagram 800 illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of an arc coupler is shown. In the embodiment shown, at leasta portion of the coupler 704 can be placed near a wire 702 or othertransmission medium, (such as transmission medium 125), in order tofacilitate coupling between the arc coupler 704 and the wire 702 orother transmission medium, to extract a portion of the guided wave 806as a guided wave 808 as described herein. The arc coupler 704 can beplaced such that a portion of the curved arc coupler 704 is tangentialto, and parallel or substantially parallel to the wire 702. The portionof the arc coupler 704 that is parallel to the wire can be an apex ofthe curve, or any point where a tangent of the curve is parallel to thewire 702. When the arc coupler 704 is positioned or placed thusly, thewave 806 travelling along the wire 702 couples, at least in part, to thearc coupler 704, and propagates as guided wave 808 along the arc coupler704 to a receiving device (not expressly shown). A portion of the wave806 that does not couple to the arc coupler propagates as wave 810 alongthe wire 702 or other transmission medium.

In an embodiment, the wave 806 can exhibit one or more wave propagationmodes. The arc coupler modes can be dependent on the shape and/or designof the coupler 704. The one or more modes of guided wave 806 cangenerate, influence, or impact one or more guide-wave modes of theguided wave 808 propagating along the arc coupler 704. It should beparticularly noted however that the guided wave modes present in theguided wave 806 may be the same or different from the guided wave modesof the guided wave 808. In this fashion, one or more guided wave modesof the guided wave 806 may not be transferred to the guided wave 808,and further one or more guided wave modes of guided wave 808 may nothave been present in guided wave 806.

Referring now to FIG. 9A, a block diagram 900 illustrating an example,non-limiting embodiment of a stub coupler is shown. In particular acoupling device that includes stub coupler 904 is presented for use in atransmission device, such as transmission device 101 or 102 presented inconjunction with FIG. 1. The stub coupler 904 can be made of adielectric material, or other low-loss insulator (e.g., Teflon,polyethylene and etc.), or made of a conducting (e.g., metallic,non-metallic, etc.) material, or any combination of the foregoingmaterials. As shown, the stub coupler 904 operates as a waveguide andhas a wave 906 propagating as a guided wave about a waveguide surface ofthe stub coupler 904. In the embodiment shown, at least a portion of thestub coupler 904 can be placed near a wire 702 or other transmissionmedium, (such as transmission medium 125), in order to facilitatecoupling between the stub coupler 904 and the wire 702 or othertransmission medium, as described herein to launch the guided wave 908on the wire.

In an embodiment, the stub coupler 904 is curved, and an end of the stubcoupler 904 can be tied, fastened, or otherwise mechanically coupled toa wire 702. When the end of the stub coupler 904 is fastened to the wire702, the end of the stub coupler 904 is parallel or substantiallyparallel to the wire 702. Alternatively, another portion of thedielectric waveguide beyond an end can be fastened or coupled to wire702 such that the fastened or coupled portion is parallel orsubstantially parallel to the wire 702. The fastener 910 can be a nyloncable tie or other type of non-conducting/dielectric material that iseither separate from the stub coupler 904 or constructed as anintegrated component of the stub coupler 904. The stub coupler 904 canbe adjacent to the wire 702 without surrounding the wire 702.

Like the arc coupler 704 described in conjunction with FIG. 7, when thestub coupler 904 is placed with the end parallel to the wire 702, theguided wave 906 travelling along the stub coupler 904 couples to thewire 702, and propagates as guided wave 908 about the wire surface ofthe wire 702. In an example embodiment, the guided wave 908 can becharacterized as a surface wave or other electromagnetic wave.

It is noted that the graphical representations of waves 906 and 908 arepresented merely to illustrate the principles that wave 906 induces orotherwise launches a guided wave 908 on a wire 702 that operates, forexample, as a single wire transmission line. The actual electric andmagnetic fields generated as a result of such wave propagation may varydepending on one or more of the shape and/or design of the coupler, therelative position of the dielectric waveguide to the wire, thefrequencies employed, the design of the stub coupler 904, the dimensionsand composition of the wire 702, as well as its surface characteristics,its optional insulation, the electromagnetic properties of thesurrounding environment, etc.

In an embodiment, an end of stub coupler 904 can taper towards the wire702 in order to increase coupling efficiencies. Indeed, the tapering ofthe end of the stub coupler 904 can provide impedance matching to thewire 702 and reduce reflections, according to an example embodiment ofthe subject disclosure. For example, an end of the stub coupler 904 canbe gradually tapered in order to obtain a desired level of couplingbetween waves 906 and 908 as illustrated in FIG. 9A.

In an embodiment, the fastener 910 can be placed such that there is ashort length of the stub coupler 904 between the fastener 910 and an endof the stub coupler 904. Maximum coupling efficiencies are realized inthis embodiment when the length of the end of the stub coupler 904 thatis beyond the fastener 910 is at least several wavelengths long forwhatever frequency is being transmitted.

Turning now to FIG. 9B, a diagram 950 illustrating an example,non-limiting embodiment of an electromagnetic distribution in accordancewith various aspects described herein is shown. In particular, anelectromagnetic distribution is presented in two dimensions for atransmission device that includes coupler 952, shown in an example stubcoupler constructed of a dielectric material. The coupler 952 couples anelectromagnetic wave for propagation as a guided wave along an outersurface of a wire 702 or other transmission medium.

The coupler 952 guides the electromagnetic wave to a junction at x₀ viaa symmetrical guided wave mode. While some of the energy of theelectromagnetic wave that propagates along the coupler 952 is outside ofthe coupler 952, the majority of the energy of this electromagnetic waveis contained within the coupler 952. The junction at x₀ couples theelectromagnetic wave to the wire 702 or other transmission medium at anazimuthal angle corresponding to the bottom of the transmission medium.This coupling induces an electromagnetic wave that is guided topropagate along the outer surface of the wire 702 or other transmissionmedium via at least one guided wave mode in direction 956. The majorityof the energy of the guided electromagnetic wave is outside or, but inclose proximity to the outer surface of the wire 702 or othertransmission medium. In the example shown, the junction at x₀ forms anelectromagnetic wave that propagates via both a symmetrical mode and atleast one asymmetrical surface mode, such as the first order modepresented in conjunction with FIG. 3, that skims the surface of the wire702 or other transmission medium.

It is noted that the graphical representations of guided waves arepresented merely to illustrate an example of guided wave coupling andpropagation. The actual electric and magnetic fields generated as aresult of such wave propagation may vary depending on the frequenciesemployed, the design and/or configuration of the coupler 952, thedimensions and composition of the wire 702 or other transmission medium,as well as its surface characteristics, its insulation if present, theelectromagnetic properties of the surrounding environment, etc.

Turning now to FIG. 10A, illustrated is a block diagram 1000 of anexample, non-limiting embodiment of a coupler and transceiver system inaccordance with various aspects described herein. The system is anexample of transmission device 101 or 102. In particular, thecommunication interface 1008 is an example of communications interface205, the stub coupler 1002 is an example of coupler 220, and thetransmitter/receiver device 1006, diplexer 1016, power amplifier 1014,low noise amplifier 1018, frequency mixers 1010 and 1020 and localoscillator 1012 collectively form an example of transceiver 210.

In operation, the transmitter/receiver device 1006 launches and receiveswaves (e.g., guided wave 1004 onto stub coupler 1002). The guided waves1004 can be used to transport signals received from and sent to a hostdevice, base station, mobile devices, a building or other device by wayof a communications interface 1008. The communications interface 1008can be an integral part of system 1000. Alternatively, thecommunications interface 1008 can be tethered to system 1000. Thecommunications interface 1008 can comprise a wireless interface forinterfacing to the host device, base station, mobile devices, a buildingor other device utilizing any of various wireless signaling protocols(e.g., LTE, WiFi, WiMAX, IEEE 802.xx, etc.) including an infraredprotocol such as an infrared data association (IrDA) protocol or otherline of sight optical protocol. The communications interface 1008 canalso comprise a wired interface such as a fiber optic line, coaxialcable, twisted pair, category 5 (CAT-5) cable or other suitable wired oroptical mediums for communicating with the host device, base station,mobile devices, a building or other device via a protocol such as anEthernet protocol, universal serial bus (USB) protocol, a data overcable service interface specification (DOCSIS) protocol, a digitalsubscriber line (DSL) protocol, a Firewire (IEEE 1394) protocol, orother wired or optical protocol. For embodiments where system 1000functions as a repeater, the communications interface 1008 may not benecessary.

The output signals (e.g., Tx) of the communications interface 1008 canbe combined with a carrier wave (e.g., millimeter-wave carrier wave)generated by a local oscillator 1012 at frequency mixer 1010. Frequencymixer 1010 can use heterodyning techniques or other frequency shiftingtechniques to frequency shift the output signals from communicationsinterface 1008. For example, signals sent to and from the communicationsinterface 1008 can be modulated signals such as orthogonal frequencydivision multiplexed (OFDM) signals formatted in accordance with aLong-Term Evolution (LTE) wireless protocol or other wireless 3G, 4G, 5Gor higher voice and data protocol, a Zigbee, WIMAX, UltraWideband orIEEE 802.11 wireless protocol; a wired protocol such as an Ethernetprotocol, universal serial bus (USB) protocol, a data over cable serviceinterface specification (DOCSIS) protocol, a digital subscriber line(DSL) protocol, a Firewire (IEEE 1394) protocol or other wired orwireless protocol. In an example embodiment, this frequency conversioncan be done in the analog domain, and as a result, the frequencyshifting can be done without regard to the type of communicationsprotocol used by a base station, mobile devices, or in-building devices.As new communications technologies are developed, the communicationsinterface 1008 can be upgraded (e.g., updated with software, firmware,and/or hardware) or replaced and the frequency shifting and transmissionapparatus can remain, simplifying upgrades. The carrier wave can then besent to a power amplifier (“PA”) 1014 and can be transmitted via thetransmitter receiver device 1006 via the diplexer 1016.

Signals received from the transmitter/receiver device 1006 that aredirected towards the communications interface 1008 can be separated fromother signals via diplexer 1016. The received signal can then be sent tolow noise amplifier (“LNA”) 1018 for amplification. A frequency mixer1020, with help from local oscillator 1012 can downshift the receivedsignal (which is in the millimeter-wave band or around 38 GHz in someembodiments) to the native frequency. The communications interface 1008can then receive the transmission at an input port (Rx).

In an embodiment, transmitter/receiver device 1006 can include acylindrical or non-cylindrical metal (which, for example, can be hollowin an embodiment, but not necessarily drawn to scale) or otherconducting or non-conducting waveguide and an end of the stub coupler1002 can be placed in or in proximity to the waveguide or thetransmitter/receiver device 1006 such that when the transmitter/receiverdevice 1006 generates a transmission, the guided wave couples to stubcoupler 1002 and propagates as a guided wave 1004 about the waveguidesurface of the stub coupler 1002. In some embodiments, the guided wave1004 can propagate in part on the outer surface of the stub coupler 1002and in part inside the stub coupler 1002. In other embodiments, theguided wave 1004 can propagate substantially or completely on the outersurface of the stub coupler 1002. In yet other embodiments, the guidedwave 1004 can propagate substantially or completely inside the stubcoupler 1002. In this latter embodiment, the guided wave 1004 canradiate at an end of the stub coupler 1002 (such as the tapered endshown in FIG. 4) for coupling to a transmission medium such as a wire702 of FIG. 7. Similarly, if guided wave 1004 is incoming (coupled tothe stub coupler 1002 from a wire 702), guided wave 1004 then enters thetransmitter/receiver device 1006 and couples to the cylindricalwaveguide or conducting waveguide. While transmitter/receiver device1006 is shown to include a separate waveguide—an antenna, cavityresonator, klystron, magnetron, travelling wave tube, or other radiatingelement can be employed to induce a guided wave on the coupler 1002,with or without the separate waveguide.

In an embodiment, stub coupler 1002 can be wholly constructed of adielectric material (or another suitable insulating material), withoutany metallic or otherwise conducting materials therein. Stub coupler1002 can be composed of nylon, Teflon, polyethylene, a polyamide, otherplastics, or other materials that are non-conducting and suitable forfacilitating transmission of electromagnetic waves at least in part onan outer surface of such materials. In another embodiment, stub coupler1002 can include a core that is conducting/metallic, and have anexterior dielectric surface. Similarly, a transmission medium thatcouples to the stub coupler 1002 for propagating electromagnetic wavesinduced by the stub coupler 1002 or for supplying electromagnetic wavesto the stub coupler 1002 can, in addition to being a bare or insulatedwire, be wholly constructed of a dielectric material (or anothersuitable insulating material), without any metallic or otherwiseconducting materials therein.

It is noted that although FIG. 10A shows that the opening of transmitterreceiver device 1006 is much wider than the stub coupler 1002, this isnot to scale, and that in other embodiments the width of the stubcoupler 1002 is comparable or slightly smaller than the opening of thehollow waveguide. It is also not shown, but in an embodiment, an end ofthe coupler 1002 that is inserted into the transmitter/receiver device1006 tapers down in order to reduce reflection and increase couplingefficiencies.

Before coupling to the stub coupler 1002, the one or more waveguidemodes of the guided wave generated by the transmitter/receiver device1006 can couple to the stub coupler 1002 to induce one or more wavepropagation modes of the guided wave 1004. The wave propagation modes ofthe guided wave 1004 can be different than the hollow metal waveguidemodes due to the different characteristics of the hollow metal waveguideand the dielectric waveguide. For instance, wave propagation modes ofthe guided wave 1004 can comprise the fundamental transverseelectromagnetic mode (Quasi-TEM₀₀), where only small electrical and/ormagnetic fields extend in the direction of propagation, and the electricand magnetic fields extend radially outwards from the stub coupler 1002while the guided waves propagate along the stub coupler 1002. Thefundamental transverse electromagnetic mode wave propagation mode may ormay not exist inside a waveguide that is hollow. Therefore, the hollowmetal waveguide modes that are used by transmitter/receiver device 1006are waveguide modes that can couple effectively and efficiently to wavepropagation modes of stub coupler 1002.

It will be appreciated that other constructs or combinations of thetransmitter/receiver device 1006 and stub coupler 1002 are possible. Forexample, a stub coupler 1002′ can be placed tangentially or in parallel(with or without a gap) with respect to an outer surface of the hollowmetal waveguide of the transmitter/receiver device 1006′ (correspondingcircuitry not shown) as depicted by reference 1000′ of FIG. 10B. Inanother embodiment, not shown by reference 1000′, the stub coupler 1002′can be placed inside the hollow metal waveguide of thetransmitter/receiver device 1006′ without an axis of the stub coupler1002′ being coaxially aligned with an axis of the hollow metal waveguideof the transmitter/receiver device 1006′. In either of theseembodiments, the guided wave generated by the transmitter/receiverdevice 1006′ can couple to a surface of the stub coupler 1002′ to induceone or more wave propagation modes of the guided wave 1004′ on the stubcoupler 1002′ including a fundamental mode (e.g., a symmetric mode)and/or a non-fundamental mode (e.g., asymmetric mode).

In one embodiment, the guided wave 1004′ can propagate in part on theouter surface of the stub coupler 1002′ and in part inside the stubcoupler 1002′. In another embodiment, the guided wave 1004′ canpropagate substantially or completely on the outer surface of the stubcoupler 1002′. In yet other embodiments, the guided wave 1004′ canpropagate substantially or completely inside the stub coupler 1002′. Inthis latter embodiment, the guided wave 1004′ can radiate at an end ofthe stub coupler 1002′ (such as the tapered end shown in FIG. 9) forcoupling to a transmission medium such as a wire 702 of FIG. 9.

It will be further appreciated that other constructs thetransmitter/receiver device 1006 are possible. For example, a hollowmetal waveguide of a transmitter/receiver device 1006″ (correspondingcircuitry not shown), depicted in FIG. 10B as reference 1000″, can beplaced tangentially or in parallel (with or without a gap) with respectto an outer surface of a transmission medium such as the wire 702 ofFIG. 4 without the use of the stub coupler 1002. In this embodiment, theguided wave generated by the transmitter/receiver device 1006″ cancouple to a surface of the wire 702 to induce one or more wavepropagation modes of a guided wave 908 on the wire 702 including afundamental mode (e.g., a symmetric mode) and/or a non-fundamental mode(e.g., asymmetric mode). In another embodiment, the wire 702 can bepositioned inside a hollow metal waveguide of a transmitter/receiverdevice 1006′″ (corresponding circuitry not shown) so that an axis of thewire 702 is coaxially (or not coaxially) aligned with an axis of thehollow metal waveguide without the use of the stub coupler 1002—see FIG.10B reference 1000′″. In this embodiment, the guided wave generated bythe transmitter/receiver device 1006′″ can couple to a surface of thewire 702 to induce one or more wave propagation modes of a guided wave908 on the wire including a fundamental mode (e.g., a symmetric mode)and/or a non-fundamental mode (e.g., asymmetric mode).

In the embodiments of 1000″ and 1000′″, for a wire 702 having aninsulated outer surface, the guided wave 908 can propagate in part onthe outer surface of the insulator and in part inside the insulator. Inembodiments, the guided wave 908 can propagate substantially orcompletely on the outer surface of the insulator, or substantially orcompletely inside the insulator. In the embodiments of 1000″ and 1000′″,for a wire 702 that is a bare conductor, the guided wave 908 canpropagate in part on the outer surface of the conductor and in partinside the conductor. In another embodiment, the guided wave 908 canpropagate substantially or completely on the outer surface of theconductor.

Referring now to FIG. 11, a block diagram 1100 illustrating an example,non-limiting embodiment of a dual stub coupler is shown. In particular,a dual coupler design is presented for use in a transmission device,such as transmission device 101 or 102 presented in conjunction withFIG. 1. In an embodiment, two or more couplers (such as the stubcouplers 1104 and 1106) can be positioned around a wire 1102 in order toreceive guided wave 1108. In an embodiment, one coupler is enough toreceive the guided wave 1108. In that case, guided wave 1108 couples tocoupler 1104 and propagates as guided wave 1110. If the field structureof the guided wave 1108 oscillates or undulates around the wire 1102 dueto the particular guided wave mode(s) or various outside factors, thencoupler 1106 can be placed such that guided wave 1108 couples to coupler1106. In some embodiments, four or more couplers can be placed around aportion of the wire 1102, e.g., at 90 degrees or another spacing withrespect to each other, in order to receive guided waves that mayoscillate or rotate around the wire 1102, that have been induced atdifferent azimuthal orientations or that have non-fundamental or higherorder modes that, for example, have lobes and/or nulls or otherasymmetries that are orientation dependent. However, it will beappreciated that there may be less than or more than four couplersplaced around a portion of the wire 1102 without departing from exampleembodiments.

It should be noted that while couplers 1106 and 1104 are illustrated asstub couplers, any other of the coupler designs described hereinincluding arc couplers, antenna or horn couplers, magnetic couplers,etc., could likewise be used. It will also be appreciated that whilesome example embodiments have presented a plurality of couplers aroundat least a portion of a wire 1102, this plurality of couplers can alsobe considered as part of a single coupler system having multiple couplersubcomponents. For example, two or more couplers can be manufactured assingle system that can be installed around a wire in a singleinstallation such that the couplers are either pre-positioned oradjustable relative to each other (either manually or automatically witha controllable mechanism such as a motor or other actuator) inaccordance with the single system.

Receivers coupled to couplers 1106 and 1104 can use diversity combiningto combine signals received from both couplers 1106 and 1104 in order tomaximize the signal quality. In other embodiments, if one or the otherof the couplers 1104 and 1106 receive a transmission that is above apredetermined threshold, receivers can use selection diversity whendeciding which signal to use. Further, while reception by a plurality ofcouplers 1106 and 1104 is illustrated, transmission by couplers 1106 and1104 in the same configuration can likewise take place. In particular, awide range of multi-input multi-output (MIMO) transmission and receptiontechniques can be employed for transmissions where a transmissiondevice, such as transmission device 101 or 102 presented in conjunctionwith FIG. 1 includes multiple transceivers and multiple couplers.

It is noted that the graphical representations of waves 1108 and 1110are presented merely to illustrate the principles that guided wave 1108induces or otherwise launches a wave 1110 on a coupler 1104. The actualelectric and magnetic fields generated as a result of such wavepropagation may vary depending on the frequencies employed, the designof the coupler 1104, the dimensions and composition of the wire 1102, aswell as its surface characteristics, its insulation if any, theelectromagnetic properties of the surrounding environment, etc.

Referring now to FIG. 12, a block diagram 1200 illustrating an example,non-limiting embodiment of a repeater system is shown. In particular, arepeater device 1210 is presented for use in a transmission device, suchas transmission device 101 or 102 presented in conjunction with FIG. 1.In this system, two couplers 1204 and 1214 can be placed near a wire1202 or other transmission medium such that guided waves 1205propagating along the wire 1202 are extracted by coupler 1204 as wave1206 (e.g. as a guided wave), and then are boosted or repeated byrepeater device 1210 and launched as a wave 1216 (e.g. as a guided wave)onto coupler 1214. The wave 1216 can then be launched on the wire 1202and continue to propagate along the wire 1202 as a guided wave 1217. Inan embodiment, the repeater device 1210 can receive at least a portionof the power utilized for boosting or repeating through magneticcoupling with the wire 1202, for example, when the wire 1202 is a powerline or otherwise contains a power-carrying conductor. It should benoted that while couplers 1204 and 1214 are illustrated as stubcouplers, any other of the coupler designs described herein includingarc couplers, antenna or horn couplers, magnetic couplers, or the like,could likewise be used.

In some embodiments, repeater device 1210 can repeat the transmissionassociated with wave 1206, and in other embodiments, repeater device1210 can include a communications interface 205 that extracts data orother signals from the wave 1206 for supplying such data or signals toanother network and/or one or more other devices as communicationsignals 110 or 112 and/or receiving communication signals 110 or 112from another network and/or one or more other devices and launch guidedwave 1216 having embedded therein the received communication signals 110or 112. In a repeater configuration, receiver waveguide 1208 can receivethe wave 1206 from the coupler 1204 and transmitter waveguide 1212 canlaunch guided wave 1216 onto coupler 1214 as guided wave 1217. Betweenreceiver waveguide 1208 and transmitter waveguide 1212, the signalembedded in guided wave 1206 and/or the guided wave 1216 itself can beamplified to correct for signal loss and other inefficiencies associatedwith guided wave communications or the signal can be received andprocessed to extract the data contained therein and regenerated fortransmission. In an embodiment, the receiver waveguide 1208 can beconfigured to extract data from the signal, process the data to correctfor data errors utilizing for example error correcting codes, andregenerate an updated signal with the corrected data. The transmitterwaveguide 1212 can then transmit guided wave 1216 with the updatedsignal embedded therein. In an embodiment, a signal embedded in guidedwave 1206 can be extracted from the transmission and processed forcommunication with another network and/or one or more other devices viacommunications interface 205 as communication signals 110 or 112.Similarly, communication signals 110 or 112 received by thecommunications interface 205 can be inserted into a transmission ofguided wave 1216 that is generated and launched onto coupler 1214 bytransmitter waveguide 1212.

It is noted that although FIG. 12 shows guided wave transmissions 1206and 1216 entering from the left and exiting to the right respectively,this is merely a simplification and is not intended to be limiting. Inother embodiments, receiver waveguide 1208 and transmitter waveguide1212 can also function as transmitters and receivers respectively,allowing the repeater device 1210 to be bi-directional.

In an embodiment, repeater device 1210 can be placed at locations wherethere are discontinuities or obstacles on the wire 1202 or othertransmission medium. In the case where the wire 1202 is a power line,these obstacles can include transformers, connections, utility poles,and other such power line devices. The repeater device 1210 can help theguided (e.g., surface) waves jump over these obstacles on the line andboost the transmission power at the same time. In other embodiments, acoupler can be used to jump over the obstacle without the use of arepeater device. In that embodiment, both ends of the coupler can betied or fastened to the wire, thus providing a path for the guided waveto travel without being blocked by the obstacle.

Turning now to FIG. 13, illustrated is a block diagram 1300 of anexample, non-limiting embodiment of a bidirectional repeater inaccordance with various aspects described herein. In particular, abidirectional repeater device 1306 is presented for use in atransmission device, such as transmission device 101 or 102 presented inconjunction with FIG. 1. It should be noted that while the couplers areillustrated as stub couplers, any other of the coupler designs describedherein including arc couplers, antenna or horn couplers, magneticcouplers, or the like, could likewise be used. The bidirectionalrepeater 1306 can employ diversity paths in the case of when two or morewires or other transmission media are present. Since guided wavetransmissions have different transmission efficiencies and couplingefficiencies for transmission medium of different types such asinsulated wires, un-insulated wires or other types of transmission mediaand further, if exposed to the elements, can be affected by weather, andother atmospheric conditions, it can be advantageous to selectivelytransmit on different transmission media at certain times. In variousembodiments, the various transmission media can be designated as aprimary, secondary, tertiary, etc. whether or not such designationindicates a preference of one transmission medium over another.

In the embodiment shown, the transmission media include an insulated oruninsulated wire 1302 and an insulated or uninsulated wire 1304(referred to herein as wires 1302 and 1304, respectively). The repeaterdevice 1306 uses a receiver coupler 1308 to receive a guided wavetraveling along wire 1302 and repeats the transmission using transmitterwaveguide 1310 as a guided wave along wire 1304. In other embodiments,repeater device 1306 can switch from the wire 1304 to the wire 1302, orcan repeat the transmissions along the same paths. Repeater device 1306can include sensors, or be in communication with sensors (or a networkmanagement system 1601 depicted in FIG. 16A) that indicate conditionsthat can affect the transmission. Based on the feedback received fromthe sensors, the repeater device 1306 can make the determination aboutwhether to keep the transmission along the same wire, or transfer thetransmission to the other wire.

Turning now to FIG. 14, illustrated is a block diagram 1400 illustratingan example, non-limiting embodiment of a bidirectional repeater system.In particular, a bidirectional repeater system is presented for use in atransmission device, such as transmission device 101 or 102 presented inconjunction with FIG. 1. The bidirectional repeater system includeswaveguide coupling devices 1402 and 1404 that receive and transmittransmissions from other coupling devices located in a distributedantenna system or backhaul system.

In various embodiments, waveguide coupling device 1402 can receive atransmission from another waveguide coupling device, wherein thetransmission has a plurality of subcarriers. Diplexer 1406 can separatethe transmission from other transmissions, and direct the transmissionto low-noise amplifier (“LNA”) 1408. A frequency mixer 1428, with helpfrom a local oscillator 1412, can downshift the transmission (which isin the millimeter-wave band or around 38 GHz in some embodiments) to alower frequency, such as a cellular band (˜1.9 GHz) for a distributedantenna system, a native frequency, or other frequency for a backhaulsystem. An extractor (or demultiplexer) 1432 can extract the signal on asubcarrier and direct the signal to an output component 1422 foroptional amplification, buffering or isolation by power amplifier 1424for coupling to communications interface 205. The communicationsinterface 205 can further process the signals received from the poweramplifier 1424 or otherwise transmit such signals over a wireless orwired interface to other devices such as a base station, mobile devices,a building, etc. For the signals that are not being extracted at thislocation, extractor 1432 can redirect them to another frequency mixer1436, where the signals are used to modulate a carrier wave generated bylocal oscillator 1414. The carrier wave, with its subcarriers, isdirected to a power amplifier (“PA”) 1416 and is retransmitted bywaveguide coupling device 1404 to another system, via diplexer 1420.

An LNA 1426 can be used to amplify, buffer or isolate signals that arereceived by the communication interface 205 and then send the signal toa multiplexer 1434 which merges the signal with signals that have beenreceived from waveguide coupling device 1404. The signals received fromcoupling device 1404 have been split by diplexer 1420, and then passedthrough LNA 1418, and downshifted in frequency by frequency mixer 1438.When the signals are combined by multiplexer 1434, they are upshifted infrequency by frequency mixer 1430, and then boosted by PA 1410, andtransmitted to another system by waveguide coupling device 1402. In anembodiment bidirectional repeater system can be merely a repeaterwithout the output device 1422. In this embodiment, the multiplexer 1434would not be utilized and signals from LNA 1418 would be directed tomixer 1430 as previously described. It will be appreciated that in someembodiments, the bidirectional repeater system could also be implementedusing two distinct and separate unidirectional repeaters. In analternative embodiment, a bidirectional repeater system could also be abooster or otherwise perform retransmissions without downshifting andupshifting. Indeed in example embodiment, the retransmissions can bebased upon receiving a signal or guided wave and performing some signalor guided wave processing or reshaping, filtering, and/or amplification,prior to retransmission of the signal or guided wave.

Turning now to FIG. 15A, illustrated is a block diagram illustrating anexample, non-limiting embodiment of a proximity sensor system 1500. Inparticular, system 1500 can detect when a physical object (e.g., auser's finger 1575) touches, or is in proximity to, a transmissionmedium 1530. The transmission medium 1530 can be various types ofmediums including an insulated wire, a non-insulated wire, a planarsurface, and so forth.

In one embodiment, system 1500 can include a first device 1502 coupledwith the transmission medium 1530. The first device 1502 can includevarious components that enable or otherwise facilitate generating andtransmitting electromagnetic waves 1550. As an example, the first device1502 can include one or more radiating elements, a processing systemincluding a processor, and a memory that stores executable instructionsthat, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance ofoperations. For example, the first device 1502 can generateelectromagnetic waves 1550 and provide the electromagnetic waves at aphysical interface of the transmission medium 1530. In one embodiment,the electromagnetic waves 1550 can propagate (in direction 1555) withoutrequiring an electrical return path, where the electromagnetic waves areguided by the transmission medium 1530 to a second device 1504. In oneembodiment, the electromagnetic waves 1550 can surround or partiallysurround the transmission medium 1530.

In one embodiment, the second device 1504 can include various componentsthat enable or otherwise facilitate receiving and/or analyzing theelectromagnetic waves 1550. As an example, the second device 1504 caninclude one or more receiving elements, a processing system including aprocessor, and a memory that stores executable instructions that, whenexecuted by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations.The second device 1504 can receive the electromagnetic waves 1550 andcan detect the physical object 1575 touching or in proximity to thetransmission medium 1530 based on the electromagnetic waves. Forinstance, the second device 1504 can detect the physical object 1575touching or in proximity to the transmission medium 1530 according to achange in a parameter associated with the electromagnetic waves 1550.The parameter can be various types of parameters associated withelectromagnetic waves 1550, including a receive signal strength. Thephysical object 1575 can be various types of physical objects thataffect electromagnetic waves 1550.

In one embodiment, the second device 1504 can determine that it has notreceived the electromagnetic waves 1550. As an example, the physicalobject 1575 can be in contact with the transmission medium 1530 or inclose enough proximity to the transmission medium such that theelectromagnetic waves 1550 do not propagate far enough to reach thesecond device 1504. System 1500 is illustrated utilizing first andsecond devices 1502 and 1504. However, in one or more embodiments, theproximity detection can be based on reflected waves. As an example, thetransmitter and receiver can be located at the same device which iscoupled with the transmission medium. In this example, proximitydetection can be based on monitoring reflected waves, includingreceiving a reflected wave received at the device or determining achange in a parameter(s) of received reflected waves. For instance, theproximity of the physical object may generate a reflected wave that isreceived by the same device which transmitted the electromagnetic waveor the proximity of the physical object may cause a change to one ormore parameters of a reflected wave that is received by the same devicewhich transmitted the electromagnetic wave. In these examples, thereflected wave can be analyzed to detect a proximity distance, velocity,object category and so forth as described herein with respect to otherembodiments. In one embodiment, a combination of reflected waves(analyzed by the same transmitting device) and propagating waves(analyzed by a different receiving device) can be analyzed to performthe proximity techniques described herein.

Referring to FIG. 15B, the second device 1504 can determine a distancebetween the physical object and the transmission medium 1530 accordingto an analysis of the change in the parameter(s) of the electromagneticwaves. In this example, the proximity of the physical object 1575 to thetransmission medium 1530 (e.g., without touching the transmissionmedium) can result in the change in parameter to the electromagneticwaves 1550, which is illustrated by adjusted electromagnetic waves1550′. In one embodiment, the analysis performed by the second device1504 on the adjusted electromagnetic waves 1550′ can include acomparison of the wave parameter to an expected parameter for theelectromagnetic waves. In one embodiment, the second device 1504 canstore or otherwise have access to a group of expected parameters forvarious electromagnetic waves that can be transmitted by the firstdevice 1502. In one embodiment, the electromagnetic waves (in whole orin part) can convey or otherwise represent an expected parameter(s) forthe electromagnetic wave being transmitted by the first device 1502,such as conveying parameter data via the electromagnetic waves. In oneembodiment, monitoring for a change in parameter can be based on athreshold change, such as the change in the parameter being determinedto be greater than a threshold parameter change.

In one embodiment, a frequency and/or a mode for the electromagneticwaves 1550 can be selected by the first device 1502 to provide for adifferent level of sensitivity to the proximity of the physical object1575. For example as shown in FIG. 16A, a block diagram illustrates anexample, non-limiting embodiment of electric field characteristics of ahybrid wave versus a Goubau wave in accordance with various aspectsdescribed herein is shown. Diagram 1653 shows a distribution of energybetween HE11 mode waves and Goubau waves for an insulated conductor. Theenergy plots of diagram 1653 assume that the amount of power used togenerate the Goubau waves is the same as the HE11 waves (i.e., the areaunder the energy curves is the same). In the illustration of diagram1653, Goubau waves have a steep drop in power when Goubau waves extendbeyond the outer surface of an insulated conductor, while HE11 waveshave a substantially lower drop in power beyond the insulation layer.Consequently, Goubau waves have a higher concentration of energy nearthe insulation layer than HE11 waves. In one or more embodiments, onecan change the frequency of the energy from low to high and get anapproximation of the position of the object with increasing levels ofprecision. For example, if the frequency is low, the device can sensefurther out. Conversely if the frequency is high, the device can bettersense closer in.

By adjusting an operating frequency of electromagnetic waves (e.g., HE11waves), e-fields of the electromagnetic waves can be configured toextend substantially outside the transmission medium. FIG. 16B depicts awire having a radius of 1 cm and an insulation radius of 1.5 cm with adielectric constant of 2.25. As the operating frequency of theelectromagnetic waves (in this example HE11 waves) is reduced, thee-fields extend outwardly expanding the size of the wave mode. Atcertain operating frequencies (e.g., 3 GHz) the wave mode expansion canbe substantially greater than the diameter of the insulated wire and anyobstructions that may be present on the insulated wire. In theseexamples, the frequency and/or mode for the electromagnetic waves 1550can be selected so that the e-fields of the electromagnetic waves extendsubstantially above the transmission medium 1530 and are thus disturbedby physical objects which are farther away from the transmission medium.The adjustability of the frequency and/or mode for the electromagneticwaves 1550 in system 1500 can provide for adjustability to thesensitivity of proximity detection of the physical object 1575, such asadjusting how far from the transmission medium 1530 a physical objectcan be detected. In another embodiment, one can track a position of anobject by iteratively changing the frequency and/or mode while trying tokeep the signal level constant.

In one embodiment, the first device 1502 can generate otherelectromagnetic waves and can provide the other electromagnetic waves atthe physical interface of the transmission medium 1530. The otherelectromagnetic waves can propagate without requiring the electricalreturn path, where the other electromagnetic waves are guided by thetransmission medium 1530 to the receiver of the second device 1504. Theelectromagnetic waves 1550 and the other electromagnetic waves can havea different frequency and/or a different mode. The selection of thefrequency and/or mode for the other (e.g., subsequent) electromagneticwaves in system 1500 can provide for confirming an accuracy of theproximity detection of the physical object 1575. For instance, thesecond device 1504 can additionally determine a distance between thephysical object 1575 and the transmission medium 1530 according to ananalysis of a change in a parameter of the other electromagnetic waves.The detected parameter changes for the different electromagnetic wavesand/or the determined distances of the physical object can then becompared to see if they match (e.g., match within an error threshold).If there is a match then the proximity detection and resulting distancedetermination can be confirmed as accurate.

In one or more embodiments, system 1500 can be utilized in variousenvironments where it is desired to provide proximity detection ofphysical objects, including security systems, alarms, power lines,electronic devices, and so forth. In one embodiment, multipletransmission mediums including multiple receiving devices can beutilized, such as to provide proximity detection over a particular area.In one embodiment, the first and second devices 1502, 1504 can be asingle device that includes and are physically connected with thetransmission medium. In one embodiment, the first and second devices1502, 1504 can be separate devices that are coupled to an existingtransmission medium to provide proximity sensing. In one or moreembodiments, system 1500 can provide for differentiating betweendifferent objects or categories of objects. For instance, some types ofobjects (e.g., dry, nonmetallic) do not perturb the electric field asintensely as a water-laden hand or finger would, so categories ofobjects can be differentiated by system 1500.

Turning now to FIG. 17, a flow diagram 1700 of an example, non-limitingembodiment of a method, is shown. In particular, the method 1700 ispresented for use with one or more functions and features presented inconjunction with FIGS. 1-16B for detecting proximity of a physicalobject. At 1715, electromagnetic waves can be generated and transmittedfrom a first device. For example, the electromagnetic waves can beprovided at a physical interface of a transmission medium, where theelectromagnetic waves propagate without requiring an electrical returnpath, and where the electromagnetic waves are guided by the transmissionmedium. The transmission medium can be various types of transmissionmediums including insulated wires, non-insulated wires, flat surfaces,other mediums described herein, and so forth. The particular material(s)for the transmission medium can be selected to facilitate theelectromagnetic waves propagating without requiring an electrical returnpath and being guided by the transmission medium, such as a dielectricmaterial. The electromagnetic waves can be various types of waves havingvarious characteristics, such as described herein.

At 1730, a receiver of a second device can receive the electromagneticwaves which are being guided by the transmission medium and candetermine whether the electromagnetic waves include (or otherwise havebeen subjected to) a disturbance due to a physical object being inproximity to the transmission medium. If no disturbance is detected thenmethod 1700 can continue monitoring received electromagnetic waves. Ifon the other hand a disturbance is detected then the second device at1745 can provide an alert, such as transmitting a message indicating thepresence or proximity of the physical object to the transmission medium.

The disturbance of the electromagnetic waves can be detected based onvarious techniques. For example, a received signal strength for theelectromagnetic waves can be monitored by the receiving device and canbe compared with an expected signal strength. Other parameter(s) of theelectromagnetic waves can be monitored and a change in the parameter(s)can be the basis of a determination that a physical object is inproximity of the transmission medium.

In one embodiment, a change in the parameter can be analyzed todetermine a distance between the physical object and the transmissionmedium. In one embodiment, an amount of the change in the parameter canbe utilized to calculate the distance between the physical object andthe transmission medium. In one embodiment, the analyzing can include acomparison to an expected parameter for the electromagnetic waves. Inone embodiment, the comparison can be based on exceeding a thresholdchange to the electromagnetic waves. In one embodiment, an estimation ofvelocity can be determined. For example, a rate of change between fieldstrength 1550 and 1550′ can yield an estimation of the velocity that theobject is approaching the transmission medium. As another example, onecould infer acceleration by differentiating the change of fieldstrength.

In one embodiment, a detection of the physical object in proximity tothe transmission medium can be based on determining that a change in aparameter of the electromagnetic waves is greater than a thresholdparameter change. In one embodiment, multiple parameter changes can bedetected to determine that the physical object is in proximity to thetransmission medium. In one embodiment, phase change can be monitored inthe received signal. This example technique can be used in place of orin addition to signal level monitoring.

In one embodiment, the disturbance of the electromagnetic waves can bebased on detecting that the electromagnetic waves are no longer beingreceived by the receiving device. In one embodiment, the disturbance ofthe electromagnetic waves can be based on detecting that a disturbancehas resulted in the electromagnetic waves being converted into modifiedor adjusted electromagnetic waves, such as due to a parameter change.

In one embodiment, a detection of the physical object in proximity tothe transmission medium can be based on comparing a first profile forthe received electromagnetic waves with a second profile for expectedelectromagnetic waves. The profiles can be based on variouscharacteristics of the electromagnetic waves including variousparameters or a combination of parameters, a digital footprint of thewaves, and so forth.

In one embodiment, method 1700 can utilize various differentelectromagnetic waves (e.g., different types, different frequencies,different modes, and so forth) for sensing different distances and/orsensing different types of physical objects. In one embodiment, method1700 can transmit different electromagnetic waves in series for sensingdifferent distances and/or sensing different types of physical objects.

Turning now to FIGS. 18 and 19, illustrated is a block diagramillustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of a proximity sensorsystem 1800. In particular, system 1800 can detect the proximity of aphysical object (e.g., a user's finger 1575). In one embodiment, system1800 can be part of, or associated with, an end user device, such as adisplay screen or a cover for a display screen of a mobile phone,tablet, laptop computer, computer display screen, television, acomputing device that provides communication services utilizing atransceiver, and so forth. System 1800 enables detecting a physicalobject with or without the physical object touching a transmissionmedium.

In one or more embodiments, system 1800 can include transmitters 1802,1902 and receivers 1804, 1904 coupled with a transmission medium 1830.As an example, a first group of transmitters 1802 and a first group ofreceivers 1804 can be positioned on opposing ends of the transmissionmedium 1830 (e.g., different sides), while a second group oftransmitters 1902 and a second group of receivers 1904 are positioned onother opposing ends or sides of the transmission medium (e.g., top andbottom areas). In one embodiment, a number of the first group oftransmitters 1802 is equal to a number of the first group of receivers1804, and/or a number of the second group of transmitters 1902 is equalto a number of the second group of receivers 1904. In one or moreembodiments, other signal processing can be applied or otherwiseutilized to implement various types of sensing.

In one or more embodiments, each of the first group of transmitters 1802can generate a first electromagnetic wave 1850 resulting in a firstgroup of electromagnetic waves, wherein each of the first group ofelectromagnetic waves propagates along the transmission medium (as shownby reference 1855) and is guided by the transmission medium 1830 to acorresponding one of the first group of receivers 1804. In oneembodiment, the first group of electromagnetic waves 1850 can be a sametype of wave, such as a Zenneck wave. In one embodiment, the first groupof electromagnetic waves 1850 can include different types of waves. Inone embodiment, the first group of electromagnetic waves 1850 can have asame frequency. In one embodiment, the first group of electromagneticwaves 1850 can include waves with different frequencies. In oneembodiment, the first group of electromagnetic waves 1850 can have asame mode. In one embodiment, the first group of electromagnetic waves1850 can include waves with different modes.

In one or more embodiments, each of the second group of transmitters1902 can generate a second electromagnetic wave 1950 resulting in asecond group of electromagnetic waves, wherein each of the second groupof electromagnetic waves propagates along the transmission medium (asshown by reference 1955) and is guided by the transmission medium 1830to a corresponding one of the second group of receivers 1904. In oneembodiment, the second group of electromagnetic waves 1950 can be a sametype of wave, such as a Zenneck wave. In one embodiment, the secondgroup of electromagnetic waves 1950 can include different types ofwaves. In one embodiment, the second group of electromagnetic waves 1950can have a same frequency. In one embodiment, the second group ofelectromagnetic waves 1950 can include waves with different frequencies.In one embodiment, the second group of electromagnetic waves 1950 canhave a same mode. In one embodiment, the second group of electromagneticwaves 1950 can include waves with different modes. In one embodiment, atleast some of the first group of transmitters 1802 can utilize differentfrequencies and/or at least some of the second group of transmitters1902 can utilize different frequencies.

In one embodiment, the first group of electromagnetic waves 1850propagates along the transmission medium 1830 orthogonally to the secondgroup of electromagnetic waves 1950. In one or more embodiments,characteristics of the first and second groups of electromagnetic waves1850, 1950 can be different to reduce or eliminate interference of wavesthat propagate and cross paths along the transmission medium 1830. Inone embodiment, the first group of electromagnetic waves 1850 can have afirst frequency that is different from a second frequency of the secondgroup of electromagnetic waves 1950. In one embodiment, the first groupof electromagnetic waves 1850 can have a first mode that is differentfrom a second mode of the second group of electromagnetic waves 1950. Inone embodiment, a combination of different frequencies and differentmodes can be utilized to reduce or eliminate interference between thefirst and second groups of electromagnetic waves 1850, 1950 thatpropagate and cross paths along the transmission medium 1830.

To facilitate propagation of electromagnetic waves and guiding aparticular wave from a transmitter to a corresponding receiver, thetransmission medium 1830 can be made from various material(s), includingdielectric material(s). In one embodiment, the transmission medium 1830can be made from a same material throughout. In another embodiment, thetransmission medium 1830 can be made from different materials alongdifferent portions of the transmission mediums, such as dielectricstrips that facilitate guiding the electromagnetic waves between thetransmitters and corresponding receivers. In one embodiment, thetransmission medium 1830 can be transparent (e.g., glass) and/or canfunction as a display or cover, such as for a communication device. Inone embodiment, the transmission medium 1830 can be smooth, such as fora touch display screen. Various other components can be coupled to, orutilized with, the transmission medium 1830, such as to provide displayscreen functionality including presenting graphics at the transmissionmedium.

In one embodiment, a first receiver 1804A of the first group ofreceivers 1804 can detect a first disturbance in one of the first groupof electromagnetic waves (as shown by reference 1850A). A secondreceiver 1904A of the second group of receivers 1904 can detect a seconddisturbance in one of the second group of electromagnetic waves (asshown by reference 1950A). A position 1875 of a physical object (e.g., afinger or stylus) in proximity to the transmission medium 1830 (which iscausing the disturbances in the propagating waves) can then bedetermined according to locations of the first and second receivers1804A, 1904A with respect to the transmission medium 1830. Referring toFIG. 20, in one embodiment the transmitters 1802, 1902 and receivers1804, 1904 can be arranged in a pattern to form a grid pattern 2050. Anynumber of transmitters and/or receivers can be utilized and the size,shape or pattern of the resulting grid can vary.

In one embodiment, transmission medium 1830 can correspond to a touchsensitive screen (e.g., a keyboard) which presents one or more graphicalsymbols. The detection of the physical object in proximity to thetransmission medium 1830 can correspond to a user touching or placinghis or her finger or stylus in proximity to a particular graphicalsymbol being displayed on the transmission medium. In one embodiment,velocity and/or proximity sensing function can be utilized to emulatevirtual musical instruments, such as a piano, guitar, and so forth.

In one embodiment, detection of the first disturbance is based on theone of the first group of electromagnetic waves not being received bythe first receiver 1804A, and/or detection of the second disturbance isbased on the one of the second group of electromagnetic waves not beingreceived by the second receiver 1904A. In one embodiment, detection ofthe first disturbance is based on determining a first parameter changefor the one of the first group of electromagnetic waves, and/ordetection of the second disturbance is based on determining a secondparameter change for the one of the second group of electromagneticwaves. The parameter that has changed can be various parametersincluding received signal strength.

System 1800 is illustrated utilizing transmitters and receivers that arepositioned on opposing ends of the transmission medium. However, in oneor more embodiments, the proximity detection can be based on reflectedwaves. As an example, pairs of transmitters and receivers can beco-located at a point in the transmission medium. In this example,proximity detection can be based on monitoring reflected waves,including receiving a reflected wave received at a particular locationalong the transmission medium or determining a change in a parameter(s)of received reflected waves at the particular location. For instance,the proximity of the physical object may generate a reflected wave thatis received by a receiver that is co-located or otherwise in proximityto a transmitter which transmitted the electromagnetic wave or theproximity of the physical object may cause a change to one or moreparameters of a reflected wave that is received by the receiver that isco-located or otherwise in proximity to the transmitter whichtransmitted the electromagnetic wave. Continuing with this example, thetransmitter/receiver pairs can be located along adjacent side or ends ofthe transmission medium, such as along a top and left side of thetransmission medium to account for X, Y coordinates for the proximitylocation. In these examples, the reflected wave can be analyzed todetect a proximity distance, velocity, object category and so forth asdescribed herein with respect to other embodiments. In one embodiment, acombination of reflected waves and propagating waves (analyzed by areceiver positioned on an opposing end of the transmission medium) canbe analyzed to perform the proximity techniques described herein.

Turning now to FIG. 21, a flow diagram of an example, non-limitingembodiment of a method 2100, is shown. In particular, the method 2100 ispresented for use with one or more functions and features presented inconjunction with FIGS. 1-20 for detecting proximity of a physicalobject, such as a finger or stylus. At 2115, a first group ofelectromagnetic waves can be generated. For example, each of a firstgroup of transmitters of a communication device can generate a firstelectromagnetic wave resulting in the first group of electromagneticwaves. In one embodiment, each of the first group of electromagneticwaves propagates along a transmission medium (e.g., a display screen) ofthe communication device and is guided by the transmission medium to acorresponding one of a first group of receivers of the communicationdevice.

At 2130, a second group of electromagnetic waves can be generated. Forexample, each of a second group of transmitters of the communicationdevice can generate a second electromagnetic wave resulting in thesecond group of electromagnetic waves. In one embodiment, each of thesecond group of electromagnetic waves propagates along the transmissionmedium (e.g., a display screen) of the communication device and isguided by the transmission medium to a corresponding one of a secondgroup of receivers of the communication device. The first and secondgroups of electromagnetic waves can propagate so as to cross paths, suchas in a grid pattern.

At 2145, disturbances in the electromagnetic waves can be monitored anddetected. As an example, a first receiver of the first group ofreceivers can detect a first disturbance in one of the first group ofelectromagnetic waves, and a second receiver of the second group ofreceivers can detect a second disturbance in one of the second group ofelectromagnetic waves. In one embodiment, the first and seconddisturbances can be detected at the same time or in temporal proximityto each other. In one embodiment, the first and/or second disturbancescan be detected based on the electromagnetic wave(s) not being receivedby the particular first or second receiver. In another embodiment, thefirst and/or second disturbances can be detected based on detecting aparameter change associated with the electromagnetic wave(s), such as adecrease in received signal strength.

If no disturbances are detected (e.g., within a threshold range or of aparticular type of disturbance) then method 2100 can return to 2115 andcontinue propagating the first and second groups of electromagneticwaves. If on the other hand disturbances are detected then at 2160 aposition of a physical object (e.g., a finger or stylus) can bedetermined which is in proximity to the transmission medium. Thelocation determination can be based on locations of the first and secondreceivers with respect to the transmission medium. For example, acrossing point of first and second wave paths of the first and secondreceivers can be utilized to determine the location of the physicalobject with respect to the transmission medium. In one embodiment, thegroups of transmitters and receivers positioned along the top, bottomand sides, respectively, can be utilized to determine X and Ycoordinates, such as a grid pattern. The location of the second receiver(along the side of the transmission medium) can denote the X coordinateof the physical object and the location of the first receiver (along thebottom of the transmission medium) can denote the Y coordinate of thephysical object. In one embodiment, the first group of electromagneticwaves has one of a first frequency, a first mode or a combinationthereof that is different from one of a second frequency, a second modeor a combination thereof of the second group of electromagnetic waves.In one embodiment, immersion in water can be detected based on wavedisturbance and the communication device can automatically shut down toavoid damage. In another embodiment, the rate at which theelectromagnetic waves are generated can be adjusted or selected based onvarious factors, such as predicting a speed with which a user will bepressing display symbols. In yet another embodiment, the particularwaves and/or their parameters can be selected or adjusted based on anumber of factors, such as utilizing waves that extend above or beyondthe transmission medium by a particular distance so as to control theproximity detection threshold. In one or more embodiments, theadjustability of wave types, wave parameters, and/or wave generationrates can be based on user input, such as a user selecting variousoptions to configure how close a finger must be to trigger adisturbance.

Referring now to FIG. 22, there is illustrated a block diagram of acomputing environment in accordance with various aspects describedherein. In order to provide additional context for various embodimentsof the embodiments described herein, FIG. 22 and the followingdiscussion are intended to provide a brief, general description of asuitable computing environment 2200 in which the various embodiments ofthe subject disclosure can be implemented. While the embodiments havebeen described above in the general context of computer-executableinstructions that can run on one or more computers, those skilled in theart will recognize that the embodiments can be also implemented incombination with other program modules and/or as a combination ofhardware and software.

Generally, program modules comprise routines, programs, components, datastructures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the inventive methods can be practiced with other computer systemconfigurations, comprising single-processor or multiprocessor computersystems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, as well as personalcomputers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer electronics, and the like, each of which can beoperatively coupled to one or more associated devices.

As used herein, a processing circuit includes processor as well as otherapplication specific circuits such as an application specific integratedcircuit, digital logic circuit, state machine, programmable gate arrayor other circuit that processes input signals or data and that producesoutput signals or data in response thereto. It should be noted thatwhile any functions and features described herein in association withthe operation of a processor could likewise be performed by a processingcircuit.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and so forth, as used in theclaims, unless otherwise clear by context, is for clarity only anddoesn't otherwise indicate or imply any order in time. For instance, “afirst determination,” “a second determination,” and “a thirddetermination,” does not indicate or imply that the first determinationis to be made before the second determination, or vice versa, etc.

The illustrated embodiments of the embodiments herein can be alsopracticed in distributed computing environments where certain tasks areperformed by remote processing devices that are linked through acommunications network. In a distributed computing environment, programmodules can be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Computing devices typically comprise a variety of media, which cancomprise computer-readable storage media and/or communications media,which two terms are used herein differently from one another as follows.Computer-readable storage media can be any available storage media thatcan be accessed by the computer and comprises both volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable storage media can be implementedin connection with any method or technology for storage of informationsuch as computer-readable instructions, program modules, structured dataor unstructured data.

Computer-readable storage media can comprise, but are not limited to,random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electricallyerasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or othermemory technology, compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), digitalversatile disk (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes,magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devicesor other tangible and/or non-transitory media which can be used to storedesired information. In this regard, the terms “tangible” or“non-transitory” herein as applied to storage, memory orcomputer-readable media, are to be understood to exclude onlypropagating transitory signals per se as modifiers and do not relinquishrights to all standard storage, memory or computer-readable media thatare not only propagating transitory signals per se.

Computer-readable storage media can be accessed by one or more local orremote computing devices, e.g., via access requests, queries or otherdata retrieval protocols, for a variety of operations with respect tothe information stored by the medium.

Communications media typically embody computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other structured or unstructureddata in a data signal such as a modulated data signal, e.g., a carrierwave or other transport mechanism, and comprises any informationdelivery or transport media. The term “modulated data signal” or signalsrefers to a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set orchanged in such a manner as to encode information in one or moresignals. By way of example, and not limitation, communication mediacomprise wired media, such as a wired network or direct-wiredconnection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and otherwireless media.

With reference again to FIG. 22, the example environment 2200 fortransmitting and receiving signals via or forming at least part of abase station (e.g., base station devices, macrocell site) or centraloffice. At least a portion of the example environment 2200 can also beused for transmission devices 101 or 102. The example environment cancomprise a computer 2202, the computer 2202 comprising a processing unit2204, a system memory 2206 and a system bus 2208. The system bus 2208couples system components including, but not limited to, the systemmemory 2206 to the processing unit 2204. The processing unit 2204 can beany of various commercially available processors. Dual microprocessorsand other multiprocessor architectures can also be employed as theprocessing unit 2204.

The system bus 2208 can be any of several types of bus structure thatcan further interconnect to a memory bus (with or without a memorycontroller), a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety ofcommercially available bus architectures. The system memory 2206comprises ROM 2210 and RAM 2212. A basic input/output system (BIOS) canbe stored in a non-volatile memory such as ROM, erasable programmableread only memory (EPROM), EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basic routinesthat help to transfer information between elements within the computer2202, such as during startup. The RAM 2212 can also comprise ahigh-speed RAM such as static RAM for caching data.

The computer 2202 further comprises an internal hard disk drive (HDD)2214 (e.g., EIDE, SATA), which internal hard disk drive 2214 can also beconfigured for external use in a suitable chassis (not shown), amagnetic floppy disk drive (FDD) 2216, (e.g., to read from or write to aremovable diskette 2218) and an optical disk drive 2220, (e.g., readinga CD-ROM disk 2222 or, to read from or write to other high capacityoptical media such as the DVD). The hard disk drive 2214, magnetic diskdrive 2216 and optical disk drive 2220 can be connected to the systembus 2208 by a hard disk drive interface 2224, a magnetic disk driveinterface 2226 and an optical drive interface 2228, respectively. Theinterface 2224 for external drive implementations comprises at least oneor both of Universal Serial Bus (USB) and Institute of Electrical andElectronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394 interface technologies. Other externaldrive connection technologies are within contemplation of theembodiments described herein.

The drives and their associated computer-readable storage media providenonvolatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executableinstructions, and so forth. For the computer 2202, the drives andstorage media accommodate the storage of any data in a suitable digitalformat. Although the description of computer-readable storage mediaabove refers to a hard disk drive (HDD), a removable magnetic diskette,and a removable optical media such as a CD or DVD, it should beappreciated by those skilled in the art that other types of storagemedia which are readable by a computer, such as zip drives, magneticcassettes, flash memory cards, cartridges, and the like, can also beused in the example operating environment, and further, that any suchstorage media can contain computer-executable instructions forperforming the methods described herein.

A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and RAM 2212,comprising an operating system 2230, one or more application programs2232, other program modules 2234 and program data 2236. All or portionsof the operating system, applications, modules, and/or data can also becached in the RAM 2212. The systems and methods described herein can beimplemented utilizing various commercially available operating systemsor combinations of operating systems. Examples of application programs2232 that can be implemented and otherwise executed by processing unit2204 include the diversity selection determining performed bytransmission device 101 or 102.

A user can enter commands and information into the computer 2202 throughone or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a keyboard 2238 and apointing device, such as a mouse 2240. Other input devices (not shown)can comprise a microphone, an infrared (IR) remote control, a joystick,a game pad, a stylus pen, touch screen or the like. These and otherinput devices are often connected to the processing unit 2204 through aninput device interface 2242 that can be coupled to the system bus 2208,but can be connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, anIEEE 1394 serial port, a game port, a universal serial bus (USB) port,an IR interface, etc.

A monitor 2244 or other type of display device can be also connected tothe system bus 2208 via an interface, such as a video adapter 2246. Itwill also be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, a monitor 2244can also be any display device (e.g., another computer having a display,a smart phone, a tablet computer, etc.) for receiving displayinformation associated with computer 2202 via any communication means,including via the Internet and cloud-based networks. In addition to themonitor 2244, a computer typically comprises other peripheral outputdevices (not shown), such as speakers, printers, etc.

The computer 2202 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections via wired and/or wireless communications to one or moreremote computers, such as a remote computer(s) 2248. The remotecomputer(s) 2248 can be a workstation, a server computer, a router, apersonal computer, portable computer, microprocessor-based entertainmentappliance, a peer device or other common network node, and typicallycomprises many or all of the elements described relative to the computer2202, although, for purposes of brevity, only a memory/storage device2250 is illustrated. The logical connections depicted comprisewired/wireless connectivity to a local area network (LAN) 2252 and/orlarger networks, e.g., a wide area network (WAN) 2254. Such LAN and WANnetworking environments are commonplace in offices and companies, andfacilitate enterprise-wide computer networks, such as intranets, all ofwhich can connect to a global communications network, e.g., theInternet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 2202 can beconnected to the local network 2252 through a wired and/or wirelesscommunication network interface or adapter 2256. The adapter 2256 canfacilitate wired or wireless communication to the LAN 2252, which canalso comprise a wireless AP disposed thereon for communicating with thewireless adapter 2256.

When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 2202 cancomprise a modem 2258 or can be connected to a communications server onthe WAN 2254 or has other means for establishing communications over theWAN 2254, such as by way of the Internet. The modem 2258, which can beinternal or external and a wired or wireless device, can be connected tothe system bus 2208 via the input device interface 2242. In a networkedenvironment, program modules depicted relative to the computer 2202 orportions thereof, can be stored in the remote memory/storage device2250. It will be appreciated that the network connections shown areexample and other means of establishing a communications link betweenthe computers can be used.

The computer 2202 can be operable to communicate with any wirelessdevices or entities operatively disposed in wireless communication,e.g., a printer, scanner, desktop and/or portable computer, portabledata assistant, communications satellite, any piece of equipment orlocation associated with a wirelessly detectable tag (e.g., a kiosk,news stand, restroom), and telephone. This can comprise WirelessFidelity (Wi-Fi) and BLUETOOTH® wireless technologies. Thus, thecommunication can be a predefined structure as with a conventionalnetwork or simply an ad hoc communication between at least two devices.

Wi-Fi can allow connection to the Internet from a couch at home, a bedin a hotel room or a conference room at work, without wires. Wi-Fi is awireless technology similar to that used in a cell phone that enablessuch devices, e.g., computers, to send and receive data indoors and out;anywhere within the range of a base station. Wi-Fi networks use radiotechnologies called IEEE 802.11 (a, b, g, n, ac, ag etc.) to providesecure, reliable, fast wireless connectivity. A Wi-Fi network can beused to connect computers to each other, to the Internet, and to wirednetworks (which can use IEEE 802.3 or Ethernet). Wi-Fi networks operatein the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands for example or with productsthat contain both bands (dual band), so the networks can providereal-world performance similar to the basic 10BaseT wired Ethernetnetworks used in many offices.

FIG. 23 presents an example embodiment 2300 of a mobile network platform2310 that can implement and exploit one or more aspects of the disclosedsubject matter described herein. In one or more embodiments, the mobilenetwork platform 2310 can generate and receive signals transmitted andreceived by base stations (e.g., base station devices, macrocell site),central office, or transmission device 101 or 102 associated with thedisclosed subject matter. Generally, wireless network platform 2310 cancomprise components, e.g., nodes, gateways, interfaces, servers, ordisparate platforms, that facilitate both packet-switched (PS) (e.g.,internet protocol (IP), frame relay, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM))and circuit-switched (CS) traffic (e.g., voice and data), as well ascontrol generation for networked wireless telecommunication. As anon-limiting example, wireless network platform 2310 can be included intelecommunications carrier networks, and can be considered carrier-sidecomponents as discussed elsewhere herein. Mobile network platform 2310comprises CS gateway node(s) 2312 which can interface CS trafficreceived from legacy networks like telephony network(s) 2340 (e.g.,public switched telephone network (PSTN), or public land mobile network(PLMN)) or a signaling system #7 (SS7) network 2370. Circuit switchedgateway node(s) 2312 can authorize and authenticate traffic (e.g.,voice) arising from such networks. Additionally, CS gateway node(s) 2312can access mobility, or roaming, data generated through SS7 network2370; for instance, mobility data stored in a visited location register(VLR), which can reside in memory 2330. Moreover, CS gateway node(s)2312 interfaces CS-based traffic and signaling and PS gateway node(s)2318. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTS network, CS gateway node(s) 2312 canbe realized at least in part in gateway GPRS support node(s) (GGSN). Itshould be appreciated that functionality and specific operation of CSgateway node(s) 2312, PS gateway node(s) 2318, and serving node(s) 2316,is provided and dictated by radio technology(ies) utilized by mobilenetwork platform 2310 for telecommunication.

In addition to receiving and processing CS-switched traffic andsignaling, PS gateway node(s) 2318 can authorize and authenticatePS-based data sessions with served mobile devices. Data sessions cancomprise traffic, or content(s), exchanged with networks external to thewireless network platform 2310, like wide area network(s) (WANs) 2350,enterprise network(s) 2370, and service network(s) 2380, which can beembodied in local area network(s) (LANs), can also be interfaced withmobile network platform 2310 through PS gateway node(s) 2318. It is tobe noted that WANs 2350 and enterprise network(s) 2360 can embody, atleast in part, a service network(s) like IP multimedia subsystem (IMS).Based on radio technology layer(s) available in technology resource(s)2317, packet-switched gateway node(s) 2318 can generate packet dataprotocol contexts when a data session is established; other datastructures that facilitate routing of packetized data also can begenerated. To that end, in an aspect, PS gateway node(s) 2318 cancomprise a tunnel interface (e.g., tunnel termination gateway (TTG) in3GPP UMTS network(s) (not shown)) which can facilitate packetizedcommunication with disparate wireless network(s), such as Wi-Finetworks.

In embodiment 2300, wireless network platform 2310 also comprisesserving node(s) 2316 that, based upon available radio technologylayer(s) within technology resource(s) 2317, convey the variouspacketized flows of data streams received through PS gateway node(s)2318. It is to be noted that for technology resource(s) 2317 that relyprimarily on CS communication, server node(s) can deliver trafficwithout reliance on PS gateway node(s) 2318; for example, server node(s)can embody at least in part a mobile switching center. As an example, ina 3GPP UMTS network, serving node(s) 2316 can be embodied in servingGPRS support node(s) (SGSN).

For radio technologies that exploit packetized communication, server(s)2314 in wireless network platform 2310 can execute numerous applicationsthat can generate multiple disparate packetized data streams or flows,and manage (e.g., schedule, queue, format . . . ) such flows. Suchapplication(s) can comprise add-on features to standard services (forexample, provisioning, billing, customer support . . . ) provided bywireless network platform 2310. Data streams (e.g., content(s) that arepart of a voice call or data session) can be conveyed to PS gatewaynode(s) 2318 for authorization/authentication and initiation of a datasession, and to serving node(s) 2316 for communication thereafter. Inaddition to application server, server(s) 2314 can comprise utilityserver(s), a utility server can comprise a provisioning server, anoperations and maintenance server, a security server that can implementat least in part a certificate authority and firewalls as well as othersecurity mechanisms, and the like. In an aspect, security server(s)secure communication served through wireless network platform 2310 toensure network's operation and data integrity in addition toauthorization and authentication procedures that CS gateway node(s) 2312and PS gateway node(s) 2318 can enact. Moreover, provisioning server(s)can provision services from external network(s) like networks operatedby a disparate service provider; for instance, WAN 2350 or GlobalPositioning System (GPS) network(s) (not shown). Provisioning server(s)can also provision coverage through networks associated to wirelessnetwork platform 2310 (e.g., deployed and operated by the same serviceprovider), such as the distributed antennas networks shown in FIG. 1(s)that enhance wireless service coverage by providing more networkcoverage. Repeater devices can also improve network coverage in order toenhance subscriber service experience by way of UE 2375.

It is to be noted that server(s) 2314 can comprise one or moreprocessors configured to confer at least in part the functionality ofmacro network platform 2310. To that end, the one or more processor canexecute code instructions stored in memory 2330, for example. It isshould be appreciated that server(s) 2314 can comprise a content manager2315, which operates in substantially the same manner as describedhereinbefore.

In example embodiment 2300, memory 2330 can store information related tooperation of wireless network platform 2310. Other operationalinformation can comprise provisioning information of mobile devicesserved through wireless platform network 2310, subscriber databases;application intelligence, pricing schemes, e.g., promotional rates,flat-rate programs, couponing campaigns; technical specification(s)consistent with telecommunication protocols for operation of disparateradio, or wireless, technology layers; and so forth. Memory 2330 canalso store information from at least one of telephony network(s) 2340,WAN 2350, enterprise network(s) 2370, or SS7 network 2360. In an aspect,memory 2330 can be, for example, accessed as part of a data storecomponent or as a remotely connected memory store.

In order to provide a context for the various aspects of the disclosedsubject matter, FIG. 23, and the following discussion, are intended toprovide a brief, general description of a suitable environment in whichthe various aspects of the disclosed subject matter can be implemented.While the subject matter has been described above in the general contextof computer-executable instructions of a computer program that runs on acomputer and/or computers, those skilled in the art will recognize thatthe disclosed subject matter also can be implemented in combination withother program modules. Generally, program modules comprise routines,programs, components, data structures, etc. that perform particulartasks and/or implement particular abstract data types.

FIG. 24 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device2400. The communication device 2400 can serve as an illustrativeembodiment of devices such as mobile devices and in-building devicesreferred to by the subject disclosure).

The communication device 2400 can comprise a wireline and/or wirelesstransceiver 2402 (herein transceiver 2402), a user interface (UI) 2404,a power supply 2414, a location receiver 2416, a motion sensor 2418, anorientation sensor 2420, and a controller 2406 for managing operationsthereof. The transceiver 2402 can support short-range or long-rangewireless access technologies such as Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, WiFi, DECT, orcellular communication technologies, just to mention a few (Bluetooth®and ZigBee® are trademarks registered by the Bluetooth® Special InterestGroup and the ZigBee® Alliance, respectively). Cellular technologies caninclude, for example, CDMA-1X, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO,WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well as other next generation wireless communicationtechnologies as they arise. The transceiver 2402 can also be adapted tosupport circuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN),packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP,etc.), and combinations thereof.

The UI 2404 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 2408with a navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse,or a navigation disk for manipulating operations of the communicationdevice 2400. The keypad 2408 can be an integral part of a housingassembly of the communication device 2400 or an independent deviceoperably coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USBcable) or a wireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth®. Thekeypad 2408 can represent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones,and/or a QWERTY keypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 2404 can furtherinclude a display 2410 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid CrystalDisplay), OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable displaytechnology for conveying images to an end user of the communicationdevice 2400. In an embodiment where the display 2410 is touch-sensitive,a portion or all of the keypad 2408 can be presented by way of thedisplay 2410 with navigation features.

The display 2410 can use touch screen technology to also serve as a userinterface for detecting user input. As a touch screen display, thecommunication device 2400 can be adapted to present a user interfacehaving graphical user interface (GUI) elements that can be selected by auser with a touch of a finger. The touch screen display 2410 can beequipped with capacitive, resistive or other forms of sensing technologyto detect how much surface area of a user's finger has been placed on aportion of the touch screen display. This sensing information can beused to control the manipulation of the GUI elements or other functionsof the user interface. The display 2410 can be an integral part of thehousing assembly of the communication device 2400 or an independentdevice communicatively coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface(such as a cable) or a wireless interface.

The UI 2404 can also include an audio system 2412 that utilizes audiotechnology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heard inproximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such as speakerphonefor hands free operation). The audio system 2412 can further include amicrophone for receiving audible signals of an end user. The audiosystem 2412 can also be used for voice recognition applications. The UI2404 can further include an image sensor 2413 such as a charged coupleddevice (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The power supply 2414 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and/or charging system technologies for supplying energyto the components of the communication device 2400 to facilitatelong-range or short-range portable communications. Alternatively, or incombination, the charging system can utilize external power sources suchas DC power supplied over a physical interface such as a USB port orother suitable tethering technologies.

The location receiver 2416 can utilize location technology such as aglobal positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS foridentifying a location of the communication device 2400 based on signalsgenerated by a constellation of GPS satellites, which can be used forfacilitating location services such as navigation. The motion sensor2418 can utilize motion sensing technology such as an accelerometer, agyroscope, or other suitable motion sensing technology to detect motionof the communication device 2400 in three-dimensional space. Theorientation sensor 2420 can utilize orientation sensing technology suchas a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the communication device2400 (north, south, west, and east, as well as combined orientations indegrees, minutes, or other suitable orientation metrics).

The communication device 2400 can use the transceiver 2402 to alsodetermine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth®, or other wirelessaccess points by sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signalstrength indicator (RSSI) and/or signal time of arrival (TOA) or time offlight (TOF) measurements. The controller 2406 can utilize computingtechnologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP),programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits,and/or a video processor with associated storage memory such as Flash,ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies for executingcomputer instructions, controlling, and processing data supplied by theaforementioned components of the communication device 2400.

Other components not shown in FIG. 24 can be used in one or moreembodiments of the subject disclosure. For instance, the communicationdevice 2400 can include a slot for adding or removing an identity modulesuch as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card or Universal IntegratedCircuit Card (UICC). SIM or UICC cards can be used for identifyingsubscriber services, executing programs, storing subscriber data, and soon.

In the subject specification, terms such as “store,” “storage,” “datastore,” data storage,” “database,” and substantially any otherinformation storage component relevant to operation and functionality ofa component, refer to “memory components,” or entities embodied in a“memory” or components comprising the memory. It will be appreciatedthat the memory components described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory, or can comprise both volatile andnonvolatile memory, by way of illustration, and not limitation, volatilememory, non-volatile memory, disk storage, and memory storage. Further,nonvolatile memory can be included in read only memory (ROM),programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM),electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory cancomprise random access memory (RAM), which acts as external cachememory. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM is available inmany forms such as synchronous RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM),synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhancedSDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM).Additionally, the disclosed memory components of systems or methodsherein are intended to comprise, without being limited to comprising,these and any other suitable types of memory.

Moreover, it will be noted that the disclosed subject matter can bepracticed with other computer system configurations, comprisingsingle-processor or multiprocessor computer systems, mini-computingdevices, mainframe computers, as well as personal computers, hand-heldcomputing devices (e.g., PDA, phone, smartphone, watch, tabletcomputers, netbook computers, etc.), microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer or industrial electronics, and the like. Theillustrated aspects can also be practiced in distributed computingenvironments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices thatare linked through a communications network; however, some if not allaspects of the subject disclosure can be practiced on stand-alonecomputers. In a distributed computing environment, program modules canbe located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Some of the embodiments described herein can also employ artificialintelligence (AI) to facilitate automating one or more featuresdescribed herein. For example, artificial intelligence can be used inoptional training controller 230 evaluate and select candidatefrequencies, modulation schemes, MIMO modes, and/or guided wave modes inorder to maximize transfer efficiency. The embodiments (e.g., inconnection with automatically identifying acquired cell sites thatprovide a maximum value/benefit after addition to an existingcommunication network) can employ various AI-based schemes for carryingout various embodiments thereof. Moreover, the classifier can beemployed to determine a ranking or priority of the each cell site of theacquired network. A classifier is a function that maps an inputattribute vector, x=(x1, x2, x3, x4, . . . , xn), to a confidence thatthe input belongs to a class, that is, f(x)=confidence (class). Suchclassification can employ a probabilistic and/or statistical-basedanalysis (e.g., factoring into the analysis utilities and costs) toprognose or infer an action that a user desires to be automaticallyperformed. A support vector machine (SVM) is an example of a classifierthat can be employed. The SVM operates by finding a hypersurface in thespace of possible inputs, which the hypersurface attempts to split thetriggering criteria from the non-triggering events. Intuitively, thismakes the classification correct for testing data that is near, but notidentical to training data. Other directed and undirected modelclassification approaches comprise, e.g., naïve Bayes, Bayesiannetworks, decision trees, neural networks, fuzzy logic models, andprobabilistic classification models providing different patterns ofindependence can be employed. Classification as used herein also isinclusive of statistical regression that is utilized to develop modelsof priority.

As will be readily appreciated, one or more of the embodiments canemploy classifiers that are explicitly trained (e.g., via a generictraining data) as well as implicitly trained (e.g., via observing UEbehavior, operator preferences, historical information, receivingextrinsic information). For example, SVMs can be configured via alearning or training phase within a classifier constructor and featureselection module. Thus, the classifier(s) can be used to automaticallylearn and perform a number of functions, including but not limited todetermining according to a predetermined criteria which of the acquiredcell sites will benefit a maximum number of subscribers and/or which ofthe acquired cell sites will add minimum value to the existingcommunication network coverage, etc.

As used in some contexts in this application, in some embodiments, theterms “component,” “system” and the like are intended to refer to, orcomprise, a computer-related entity or an entity related to anoperational apparatus with one or more specific functionalities, whereinthe entity can be either hardware, a combination of hardware andsoftware, software, or software in execution. As an example, a componentmay be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, aprocessor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution,computer-executable instructions, a program, and/or a computer. By wayof illustration and not limitation, both an application running on aserver and the server can be a component. One or more components mayreside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component maybe localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or morecomputers. In addition, these components can execute from variouscomputer readable media having various data structures stored thereon.The components may communicate via local and/or remote processes such asin accordance with a signal having one or more data packets (e.g., datafrom one component interacting with another component in a local system,distributed system, and/or across a network such as the Internet withother systems via the signal). As another example, a component can be anapparatus with specific functionality provided by mechanical partsoperated by electric or electronic circuitry, which is operated by asoftware or firmware application executed by a processor, wherein theprocessor can be internal or external to the apparatus and executes atleast a part of the software or firmware application. As yet anotherexample, a component can be an apparatus that provides specificfunctionality through electronic components without mechanical parts,the electronic components can comprise a processor therein to executesoftware or firmware that confers at least in part the functionality ofthe electronic components. While various components have beenillustrated as separate components, it will be appreciated that multiplecomponents can be implemented as a single component, or a singlecomponent can be implemented as multiple components, without departingfrom example embodiments.

Further, the various embodiments can be implemented as a method,apparatus or article of manufacture using standard programming and/orengineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware or anycombination thereof to control a computer to implement the disclosedsubject matter. The term “article of manufacture” as used herein isintended to encompass a computer program accessible from anycomputer-readable device or computer-readable storage/communicationsmedia. For example, computer readable storage media can include, but arenot limited to, magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk,magnetic strips), optical disks (e.g., compact disk (CD), digitalversatile disk (DVD)), smart cards, and flash memory devices (e.g.,card, stick, key drive). Of course, those skilled in the art willrecognize many modifications can be made to this configuration withoutdeparting from the scope or spirit of the various embodiments.

In addition, the words “example” and “exemplary” are used herein to meanserving as an instance or illustration. Any embodiment or designdescribed herein as “example” or “exemplary” is not necessarily to beconstrued as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments ordesigns. Rather, use of the word example or exemplary is intended topresent concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, theterm “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive“or”. That is, unless specified otherwise or clear from context, “Xemploys A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusivepermutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both Aand B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoinginstances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in thisapplication and the appended claims should generally be construed tomean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context tobe directed to a singular form.

Moreover, terms such as “user equipment,” “mobile station,” “mobile,”subscriber station,” “access terminal,” “terminal,” “handset,” “mobiledevice” (and/or terms representing similar terminology) can refer to awireless device utilized by a subscriber or user of a wirelesscommunication service to receive or convey data, control, voice, video,sound, gaming or substantially any data-stream or signaling-stream. Theforegoing terms are utilized interchangeably herein and with referenceto the related drawings.

Furthermore, the terms “user,” “subscriber,” “customer,” “consumer” andthe like are employed interchangeably throughout, unless contextwarrants particular distinctions among the terms. It should beappreciated that such terms can refer to human entities or automatedcomponents supported through artificial intelligence (e.g., a capacityto make inference based, at least, on complex mathematical formalisms),which can provide simulated vision, sound recognition and so forth.

As employed herein, the term “processor” can refer to substantially anycomputing processing unit or device comprising, but not limited tocomprising, single-core processors; single-processors with softwaremultithread execution capability; multi-core processors; multi-coreprocessors with software multithread execution capability; multi-coreprocessors with hardware multithread technology; parallel platforms; andparallel platforms with distributed shared memory. Additionally, aprocessor can refer to an integrated circuit, an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic controller (PLC), acomplex programmable logic device (CPLD), a discrete gate or transistorlogic, discrete hardware components or any combination thereof designedto perform the functions described herein. Processors can exploitnano-scale architectures such as, but not limited to, molecular andquantum-dot based transistors, switches and gates, in order to optimizespace usage or enhance performance of user equipment. A processor canalso be implemented as a combination of computing processing units.

As used herein, terms such as “data storage,” data storage,” “database,”and substantially any other information storage component relevant tooperation and functionality of a component, refer to “memorycomponents,” or entities embodied in a “memory” or components comprisingthe memory. It will be appreciated that the memory components orcomputer-readable storage media, described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory or can include both volatile andnonvolatile memory.

What has been described above includes mere examples of variousembodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe everyconceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes ofdescribing these examples, but one of ordinary skill in the art canrecognize that many further combinations and permutations of the presentembodiments are possible. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed and/orclaimed herein are intended to embrace all such alterations,modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes”is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term isintended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as“comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in aclaim.

In addition, a flow diagram may include a “start” and/or “continue”indication. The “start” and “continue” indications reflect that thesteps presented can optionally be incorporated in or otherwise used inconjunction with other routines. In this context, “start” indicates thebeginning of the first step presented and may be preceded by otheractivities not specifically shown. Further, the “continue” indicationreflects that the steps presented may be performed multiple times and/ormay be succeeded by other activities not specifically shown. Further,while a flow diagram indicates a particular ordering of steps, otherorderings are likewise possible provided that the principles ofcausality are maintained.

As may also be used herein, the term(s) “operably coupled to”, “coupledto”, and/or “coupling” includes direct coupling between items and/orindirect coupling between items via one or more intervening items. Suchitems and intervening items include, but are not limited to, junctions,communication paths, components, circuit elements, circuits, functionalblocks, and/or devices. As an example of indirect coupling, a signalconveyed from a first item to a second item may be modified by one ormore intervening items by modifying the form, nature or format ofinformation in a signal, while one or more elements of the informationin the signal are nevertheless conveyed in a manner than can berecognized by the second item. In a further example of indirectcoupling, an action in a first item can cause a reaction on the seconditem, as a result of actions and/or reactions in one or more interveningitems.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement which achieves thesame or similar purpose may be substituted for the embodiments describedor shown by the subject disclosure. The subject disclosure is intendedto cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, can be used in the subject disclosure.For instance, one or more features from one or more embodiments can becombined with one or more features of one or more other embodiments. Inone or more embodiments, features that are positively recited can alsobe negatively recited and excluded from the embodiment with or withoutreplacement by another structural and/or functional feature. The stepsor functions described with respect to the embodiments of the subjectdisclosure can be performed in any order. The steps or functionsdescribed with respect to the embodiments of the subject disclosure canbe performed alone or in combination with other steps or functions ofthe subject disclosure, as well as from other embodiments or from othersteps that have not been described in the subject disclosure. Further,more than or less than all of the features described with respect to anembodiment can also be utilized.

1. A device, comprising: first and second groups of transmitters coupledwith a physical transmission medium; first and second groups ofreceivers coupled with the physical transmission medium; and aprocessing system including a processor, wherein the first group oftransmitters and the first group of receivers are positioned along thephysical transmission medium, wherein the second group of transmittersand the second group of receivers are positioned along the physicaltransmission medium, wherein each of the first group of transmittersgenerates a first electromagnetic wave resulting in a first group ofelectromagnetic waves, wherein each of the first group ofelectromagnetic waves propagates along the physical transmission mediumand is guided by the physical transmission medium to a corresponding oneof the first group of receivers, wherein each of the second group oftransmitters generates a second electromagnetic wave resulting in asecond group of electromagnetic waves, wherein each of the second groupof electromagnetic waves propagates along the physical transmissionmedium and is guided by the physical transmission medium to acorresponding one of the second group of receivers, wherein a firstreceiver of the first group of receivers detects a first disturbance inone of the first group of electromagnetic waves, wherein a secondreceiver of the second group of receivers detects a second disturbancein one of the second group of electromagnetic waves, and wherein theprocessing system determines a position of a physical object inproximity to the physical transmission medium according to locations ofthe first and second receivers with respect to the physical transmissionmedium.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the first and second groups ofelectromagnetic waves comprise Zenneck waves.
 3. The device of claim 1,wherein the first group of electromagnetic waves propagates along thephysical transmission medium orthogonally to the second group ofelectromagnetic waves.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one ofthe first group of electromagnetic waves has one or more frequenciesthat are different from at least one of the second group ofelectromagnetic waves.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the first groupof electromagnetic waves has a first mode that is different from asecond mode of the second group of electromagnetic waves.
 6. The deviceof claim 1, wherein a number of the first group of transmitters is equalto a number of the first group of receivers, and wherein a number of thesecond group of transmitters is equal to a number of the second group ofreceivers.
 7. The device of claim 1, further comprising a displayscreen, wherein the display screen comprises the physical transmissionmedium.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the processing system presentsa graphical symbol on the display screen corresponding to the positionof the physical object in proximity to the physical transmission medium.9. The device of claim 1, further comprising a transceiver, wherein theprocessing system provides communication services utilizing thetransceiver.
 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the detection of thefirst disturbance is based on the one of the first group ofelectromagnetic waves not being received by the first receiver, andwherein the detection of the second disturbance is based on the one ofthe second group of electromagnetic waves not being received by thesecond receiver.
 11. The device of claim 1, wherein detection of thefirst disturbance is based on determining a first parameter change forthe one of the first group of electromagnetic waves, and whereindetection of the second disturbance is based on determining a secondparameter change for the one of the second group of electromagneticwaves.
 12. A method comprising: generating, by each of a first group oftransmitters of a communication device, a first electromagnetic waveresulting in a first group of electromagnetic waves, wherein each of thefirst group of electromagnetic waves propagates along a physicaltransmission medium of the communication device and is guided by thephysical transmission medium to a corresponding one of a first group ofreceivers of the communication device; generating, by each of a secondgroup of transmitters of the communication device, a secondelectromagnetic wave resulting in a second group of electromagneticwaves, wherein each of the second group of electromagnetic wavespropagates along the physical transmission medium and is guided by thephysical transmission medium to a corresponding one of a second group ofreceivers of the communication device; detecting, by a first receiver ofthe first group of receivers, a first disturbance in one of the firstgroup of electromagnetic waves; detecting, by a second receiver of thesecond group of receivers, a second disturbance in one of the secondgroup of electromagnetic waves; and determining, by a processing systemincluding a processor of the communication device, a position of aphysical object in proximity to the physical transmission mediumaccording to locations of the first and second receivers with respect tothe physical transmission medium.
 13. The method of claim 12, whereinthe first group of transmitters and the first group of receivers arepositioned on opposing ends of the physical transmission medium, andwherein the second group of transmitters and the second group ofreceivers are positioned on other opposing ends of the physicaltransmission medium.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the first andsecond groups of electromagnetic waves comprise Zenneck waves.
 15. Themethod of claim 12, wherein the first group of electromagnetic waves hasone of a first frequency, a first mode or a combination thereof that isdifferent from one of a second frequency, a second mode or a combinationthereof of the second group of electromagnetic waves.
 16. The method ofclaim 12, further comprising presenting, by the processing system, agraphical symbol on a display screen of the communication device,wherein the graphical symbol is presented at a display locationcorresponding to the position of the physical object in proximity to thephysical transmission medium.
 17. A machine-readable storage device,comprising instructions, wherein responsive to executing theinstructions, a processing system of a communication device performsoperations comprising: generating, by each of a first group oftransmitters, a first electromagnetic wave resulting in a first group ofelectromagnetic waves, wherein each of the first group ofelectromagnetic waves propagates along a physical transmission medium ofthe communication device and is guided by the physical transmissionmedium; generating, by each of a second group of transmitters, a secondelectromagnetic wave resulting in a second group of electromagneticwaves, wherein each of the second group of electromagnetic wavespropagates along the physical transmission medium and is guided by thephysical transmission medium; detecting, by a first receiver of a firstgroup of receivers, a first disturbance associated with one of the firstgroup of electromagnetic waves; detecting, by a second receiver of asecond group of receivers, a second disturbance associated with one ofthe second group of electromagnetic waves; and determining a position ofa physical object in proximity to the physical transmission mediumaccording to locations of the first and second receivers with respect tothe physical transmission medium.
 18. The machine-readable storagedevice of claim 17, wherein each of the first group of electromagneticwaves is guided by the physical transmission medium to a correspondingone of the first group of receivers, and wherein each of the secondgroup of electromagnetic waves is guided by the physical transmissionmedium to a corresponding one of the second group of receivers.
 19. Themachine-readable storage device of claim 17, wherein the detecting thefirst disturbance associated with the one of the first group ofelectromagnetic waves comprises detecting the first disturbance in afirst reflected wave associated with the one of the first group ofelectromagnetic waves, and wherein the detecting the second disturbanceassociated with the one of the second group of electromagnetic wavescomprises detecting the second disturbance in a second reflected waveassociated with the one of the second group of electromagnetic waves.20. The machine-readable storage device of claim 17, wherein theoperations further comprise presenting a graphical symbol on a displayscreen of the communication device, wherein the graphical symbol ispresented at a display location corresponding to the position of thephysical object in proximity to the physical transmission medium.